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4WD danger to kids goes further than school areas
18 May 2005
“The Team’s research found that between 1996 and 2003, there were twenty-one children killed by 4WD vehicles, nineteen of these incidents occurred in a residential driveway.
“This clearly demonstrates the danger is primarily to the under fives outside their homes,” Ms Calvert said.
“Any solution has to involve planning so that play and driveway areas are separated, modifications are made to vehicles such as mirrors and warning devices and importantly, that small children are supervised when they are around cars,” Ms Calvert said.
In 1999 the NSW CDRT made recommendations to the Motor Accident Authority (MAA). In response the MAA set up a working party and implemented public awareness campaigns as well as suggesting modifications to vehicles.
In the three years prior to these recommendations, child deaths by 4WD fluctuated between four and six deaths a year. Since then, child deaths by 4WD have usually fluctuated between one and two a year.
“Children need to be safe and protected wherever they spend their time, whether this is near their home or their school,” Ms Calvert said.