- Published:
- Wednesday 28 January 2015
Minister for Families and Children, Jenny Mikakos today joined child accident prevention body, Kidsafe, to remind Victorians about driveway safety.
An average of seven children die from being accidentally run over in Australian driveways each year, with a further 14 kids seriously injured.
Most incidents occur in the child's own home during the hectic morning and afternoon school run periods.
Sadly, the driver is usually a parent, relative or family friend and, in the majority of cases, simply didn't know the child was outside or close to the vehicle.
The 2015 Kidsafe ‘Return to School Safe: Driveway Safety’ campaign launched today includes fact sheets and a video featuring former AFL player and television and radio personality, Ryan 'Fitzy' Fitzgerald.
The campaign focuses on three simple messages: Supervise, Separate and See.
Supervise
Never let young children play unsupervised, especially near parked cars or driveways. Even when waving goodbye, hold your child's hand.
Separate
Always separate play areas from driveways and ensure gates to driveways are secure.
See
All cars have blind spots. Reversing sensors and cameras can assist, but should not be relied on to keep children safe. Get into the habit of walking around the car before driving when you know young children are at home.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Families and Children, Jenny Mikakos
"Letting your guard down in the driveway can be fatal."
"With summer now over and everyone’s life getting busy again, it's vital we pay extra attention and keep our children safe in our driveways."
“Just being aware of the dangers is the first step towards protecting young children, which is why this Kidsafe campaign is so important.”