Focus on driveway deaths

Rocky Newburne and Valeria Tokoar lost their son. Photo / APN

Each year, on average, five children are killed by cars on New Zealand driveways.

They are usually killed at home.

Their parents are usually behind the wheel.

Safekids is launching a campaign on Friday to stop children dying - "There's no going back" - and the Herald on Sunday is supporting that campaign.

The injury prevention service, an arm of Starship Children's Health, is calling on the public to lobby local councils to include measures in annual plans that will make properties safer.

The common Kiwi home with a garage up a long driveway to the rear of a section is a recipe for tragedy.

Studies show the risk of injury can be reduced by designing properties with separate entry points for pedestrians and vehicles, children's play areas fenced off from vehicle areas, and garages built close to the road.

Safekids specifically recommends councils include this safety information in residential design guidelines: Avoid long driveways where possible. Have mechanisms and warning signs to reduce speed on long driveways. Use design, layout and fencing to provide safe play areas.

The son of 25-year-old Valeria Tokoar was killed outside his Napier home by a relative reversing out of the driveway. Tyreese, aged 19 months, had slipped unseen through a gate and ended up in the path of the departing car, suffering massive head injuries.

"He was still breathing when we brought him inside but he stopped just as the ambulance pulled up to the house," Tokoar said. The grieving mum is backing the campaign to reduce driveway deaths.

"Even if you are late for a meeting, it's worth the two seconds to make sure nothing is behind your car," she said.

Safekids director Ann Weaver said there were also basic, free steps people could take:

* Check where children are before getting into the car and always walk around the car before driving off.

* Make sure children are supervised by a responsible adult.

* Separate play areas from driveways.

Safekids is holding workshops with community groups throughout the country and will run an advertising campaign beginning this Friday.

www.safekids.org.nz