Have you ever thought about the dangers that come with having a private driveway when you have young children, especially toddlers who are still learning to walk and are not fully aware of their surroundings? Even if you live in a complex or housing estate, driveways are often places where children play. According to the National Safety Council in the USA, over 300 children are killed each year in driveway incidents, and thousands more are injured. That’s a scary thought for any parent!
Young children and toddlers are more at risk because you cannot see them when you are in your vehicle, and they do not yet have any sense of what is dangerous.
To make sure your children stay safe, it’s important to take certain precautions when using your driveway. Here are some tips:
- Always supervise your children when they’re playing on or near your driveway. It’s important to keep a close eye on them, especially when there are cars present.
- Make sure you know exactly where your toddler is when you drive off and that they are under safe supervision.
- Teach your children about driveway safety. They may not fully understand the danger, but repetition and reinforcement can help. Make sure they know to stay away from vehicles and not to play in the driveway by themselves.
- Consider installing safety features on your driveway, like mirrors, cameras, or sensors that can detect children and alert drivers. You can also use barriers to block off the driveway when it’s not in use. Modern vehicles with a rear camera are very handy in this instance.
- Be extra cautious when entering or exiting your driveway, as this is when many incidents happen. Always check your mirrors and turn your head to look for children or obstacles that might be in your way. Don’t just rely on the rear facing camera in your vehicle. There are still blind spots where you would not see a toddler.
- Make sure to park your car safely in a way that doesn’t obstruct your view of the driveway. This will help you see if any children are playing nearby.
- And finally, be a responsible driver! Never drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol and always follow traffic laws and speed limits.
By following these tips, you can help reduce the risk of incidents on your private driveway or in your complex and keep your children safe. Remember, it’s always better to be safe than sorry, so take the time to make sure your driveway is a safe place for your little ones to play.
For more information on how to keep your children safe in and around the vehicle, feel free to contact us at Wheel Well. We are here for you and your children in road safety.
