In 1999 the NSW Parliament’s Child Death Review Team (CDRT) reported concern about the prevalence of child pedestrian fatalities in home driveways and recommended that the MAA work in consultation with other agencies to develop strategies, including education programs, to address this issue.
The MAA commissioned Dr Michael Henderson to produce a report Child Deaths and Injuries in Driveways: Response to the Recommendations of the Child Death Review Team 
(1.8mb). This report highlights that ‘in round figures the number of child deaths and injuries in driveways is about 10% of all child pedestrian deaths and injuries…’
The report recommended several complementary measures be developed focusing on human behaviour, the environment, vehicle design and further research to identify the factors associated with these elements.
Analysis of Motor Vehicle Related Fatalities Involving Young Children Under the Age of Six Years (1995-2000) (317kb) was completed by the Injury Risk Management Research Centre. This study notes the greater vulnerability of toddlers and highlights the importance of supervision and refers to security devices including door locks.
There has been substantial attention to the potential for car reversing aids to contribute to a reduction of reversing crashes. In addition to the commissioning Report on Devices to Reduce the Risk to Young Pedestrians from Reversing Motor Vehicles (1.1mb) the MAA has prepared Driveway Accident Prevention: tips for improving safety while reversing (103kb) which provides a 10 step guide for parents considering fitting vehicle reversing aids.
A brochure has been prepared by the MAA and road safety partners to alert parents to dangers posed by driveways. Where are your kids? - child safety in your driveway (482kb) is being distributed in NSW through early childhood centres, NRMA offices and Kidsafe events. The brochure is free and available online from the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government.
To further assist the promotion of driveway safety, key messages are available to download in:
The MAA has developed a video using a practical display developed by the Early Childhood Road Safety Education Program (ECRSEP) and Ryde City Council to demonstrate that a driver cannot see children in the blind zone behind a car. The video is available for loan through ECRSEP. Video preview (6mb).
The MAA continues to work with the steering committee comprising NSW Health, Kidsafe, the Children’s Hospital at Westmead, RTA, Early Childhood Road Safety Education Program, NRMA Motoring & Services, IAG and the Injury Risk Management Research Centre (at the UNSW) to reduce the incidence of these tragic accidents.
Papers: The Off Road Toll: Children at Risk in Driveways Yards and Carparks (96kb) presented to the IPWEA (NSW) Conference in 2003, and Driveway Safety Project (88kb) presented at the Local Government Road Safety Conference 2004 summarise knowledge and countermearures against low speed off-road child pedestrian accidents.
For further information email roadsafety@maa.nsw.gov.au