Driveway Dangers

This country seems to have more than its fair share of young children being hospitalised with serious injuries received from a vehicle driving in a private driveway. However driveway accidents are preventable.

Read up on the danger signs and things you can do to help stop them happening.
 

Key facts

• Unfortunately it’s a sad fact that kids are more likely to be run over in the driveway by one of their own parents than anyone else.
• Children at the most risk are aged between one and three years old.
• Driveway accidents are more common in the summer months between December and February when children are more likely to be playing outside.
• Most driveway accidents happen in the afternoon between 4.00pm and 7.00pm or in the morning between 10.00am and midday.

 

Spotting dangerous driveways

A driveway can be potentially dangerous when it is:

• A driveway with no separate pedestrian access to the house
• A long driveway
• A driveway which is not separated from a play area by a fence or hedge
• A driveway in a quiet road or cul-de-sac
• A driveway leading to lots of parking

 

Safety checks

• Count the kids before you start to drive and ensure that they are either belted in the car or out of harms way
• Check blind spots
• Don’t let kids use driveways as play areas
• Ensure an adult is supervising toddlers and young children at all times
• Ensure you have a safe fenced place for children to play
• Ask visitors to park on the road
• Keep cars locked

Check out our other Hot Topics on:

• Dealing with accidents at home
• Keeping your child safe - what to look out for at different stages of development
• Car seat safety for kids in NZ

 
For more information on driveway safety visit www.safekids.org.nz.
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