Another child dies...

[Chris]

Yet another child has died under the wheels of a car... and again killed by a parent.

There's been a spate of accidents and deaths recently which makes me wonder why people don't take far more care when they are reversing their 4WD's, trucks and cars. Each death is an unnecessary tragedy should be so easily preventable if a few simple rules are followed:

1. *Never* 'assume' anything to do with a child's safety. Check and recheck where they are and that they are safe.

2. If there is no adult to look after the child when you move the car, place them in the car or make *sure* they are in your line of sight!

3. Before you reverse make 100% sure the area behind you is clear and you can see clearly

4. Drive slowly *anywhere* children are likely to be... even in your own driveway when you think they should be indoors!

5. It's better to reverse *in* to a driveway and drive forwards out of a property.

6. Try to have another adult monitor your route out of your driveway to make certain there are no children in the vicinity of the moving vehicle.

These might not be foolproof safeguards but they will perhaps at least reduce the number of people whose lives are lost or ruined by incidents such as these. Kids don't understand cars or danger and will stand looking at a car coming towards them with no conception of fear, or the possibility it won't stop before they get hurt.

Source: Three-year-old child in Rushcutters Bay run over by car, dies in hospital

[jen]

Easy to say from hindsight, and at a distance...we ALWAYS checked where the kids were, we had a gate between the garden and the carport, so we could 'lock' our 4 kids away from the moving cars, we figured 4 was too many to keep a check on, especially if i was home alone... but here is something scary:

http://www.perthnow.com.au/news/top-stories/baby-girl-run-over-by-her-father/story-e6frg12l-1225980232442


http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-02-15/toddler-killed-in-driveway-accident/1944424


http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/a-miraculous-escape-for-the-little-girl-the-pope-blessed-20110217-1ayaf.html


http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/more-news/three-year-old-toddler-in-rushcutters-bay-run-over-by-car-dies-in-hospital/story-fn7x8me2-1226149366391


http://www.smh.com.au/victoria/mum-kills-son-pins-father-in-parking-tragedy-20110927-1ku8e.html


All in Australia, and all this year, so the incidence of these accidents is increasing? Is it a oversight problem, or is it more environmental?

... which brings me to the third story... maybe there is something to this blessed by God thing?

[Chris]

All in Australia, and all this year, so the incidence of these accidents is increasing? Is it a oversight problem, or is it more environmental?

... which brings me to the third story... maybe there is something to this blessed by God thing?

There was also a case of a father running over his son with his truck a few weeks back. It's all so pointlessly sad.

There's really been a run of these accidents recently which makes it all the more bizarre that people seem *not* to taking more care! 

I hope we don't get the usual 'run' this summer with kids drowning in backyard pools!!

[Patricia]

We have a rule here at home that no-one moves the car unless the grandchildren are with the other...in fact if I have been home alone I will put the kids into the car with me if I'm moving out into the yard.


I cannot believe that in this day & age it isn't mandatory to have reversing cameras installed on all new vehicles be they 4WD or sedans....realise that it won't have an affect on those vehicles already out there...but surely in the manufacture it would be a relatively simple modification afterall the wiring has to be put in place for all other lights/brakes etc.

[Chris]

I cannot believe that in this day & age it isn't mandatory to have reversing cameras installed on all new vehicles be they 4WD or sedans....

Better yet have the warning sensors. Even if you don't *see* the child the beep will alert you that *something* is there and needs to be avoided/investigated!!

There is no reason why fitting can't be made mandatory when testing is done for the Green Slips!! If people don't get them fixed... they don't get insurance! I'd even be willing to agree to subsidising the damn things if they help save life!!

[Chris]

We have a rule here at home that no-one moves the car unless the grandchildren are with the other...in fact if I have been home alone I will put the kids into the car with me if I'm moving out into the yard.

There's an update on the latest death in the url below. It's a really sad story... but highlights even more the dangers.

Source: Their darling Harry will be missed forever

[Crankenstein]

Computers and cameras are no substitute for good parenting and fully equipped and functioning common sense.

The majority of these accidents are preventable by one or both of the above.

[Chris]

Computers and cameras are no substitute for good parenting and fully equipped and functioning common sense.

The majority of these accidents are preventable by one or both of the above.

True... but adding them to the list in the first post could help as well. Anything that helps is good.

Even 'good parents' find it easy to be distracted and lose concentration... but just 'forgetting' for a split second is all it takes.

[Adrian]

Sadly we may have to return to the days of a man walking in front of us waving a red flag.

Nothing will ever stop these accidents from happening - fact of life. Just like road deaths. It's because we are human.