Motorist who hit child in driveway escapes charges

Drivers who hit children in two separate driveway incidents in Taupo will not be charged.

Taupo road policing group Senior Sergeant Fane Troy said the investigations into the two different incidents had finished but neither driver would face charges.

On December 24 Te Haeata Pitiroi was struck and killed on a private driveway in the Hatepe Village and in February a 1-year-old suffered serious injuries when he was run over on a private driveway in Taupo.

Mr Troy said that after reviewing the evidence, neither of the drivers would be charged.

"These two tragic incidents will affect the lives of the children's families and also those of the drivers for a long time.

"Drivers and parents need to be aware that driveways are a risk area and caution should be taken when first moving off. If children are about stop, ensure they are supervised and out of the way of the vehicle."

He said district council road safety co-ordinators would have resources to educate drivers and families around the risk of driveways. This includes a Driveway Run Over Kit which educates drivers and parents of the risk of children around vehicles.

"I encourage community groups, families and whanau to use these resources, especially the Driveway Run Over Kit as it will shows the issues with blind spots around vehicles when children are about," Mr Troy said.