Driveway deaths in spotlight

Photo / APN

A major safety campaign is under way to stem the rising numbers of child deaths in driveways.

Lobby group Safekids New Zealand held meetings this week ahead of a national campaign in July.

Seven children died in driveway accidents last year - almost double the annual average during the past decade.

Safekids director Ann Weaver said human error, property design and the lack of visibility in vehicles were the main causes.

For every child who dies on driveways, about 12 are injured, said Paediatric Society of New Zealand president Nick Baker.

Deaths and injuries were concentrated in poor areas and were more common in the North Island.

Figures from the Child and Youth Mortality Review Committee showed that from 2002-2008, 68 per cent of children were run over by reversing vehicles.

Forty-fiveper cent of low-speed deaths were caused by SUVs or four-wheel-drives.