Driveway Runovers: Birth to 11 months
How big a problem is it?
Up until 2016, around five children were being killed in New Zealand driveways each year. This has reduced in recent years, including less than 10 children a year being admitted to Starship Children’s Hospital with very serious injuries from driveway run overs. Often, it is a member of their own family driving the vehicle.
Who does it affect?
Children aged around one to two years are most at risk because they are too small to be seen behind a vehicle, and can slip unseen through an open gate and into the path of a departing car.
The risk is even greater if the driveway is near an unfenced play area, or if it is long. Driveways that are shared, in a quiet road or cul-de-sac or leads to an area where there is lots of parking space are also very risky.
The good news is that by following a few simple tips you can keep your children safe from driveway run overs.
Top Tips
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Remember:
CHECK for children before driving off
SUPERVISE children around vehicles – always
SEPARATE play areas from driveways
First Aid
If your child has been struck by a car, call 111 immediately. If unconscious, begin CPR. Find CPR instructions for babies and toddlers here. Do not stop performing CPR until medical help arrives and takes over.
Resources Link to Safekids’ resources
Download Driveway Runover reference card
Reference Card Sources
Driveway Run Over Injury Prevention Resources
Links to other organisations’ resources
New Zealand Transport Agency Feet First Resources
New Zealand Transport Agency Pedestrian Planning and Design Guidance
Auckland Transport's Travelwise Schools Programme
Acknowledgement. This page includes a link to KidsHealth and a page containing the Basic Life Support Flow Chart. The Basic Life Support Flow Chart is developed by the New Zealand Resuscitation Council and Australian Resuscitation Council. For more information see www.nrc.org.nz