MP urges New Zealanders to be vigilant on child safety around vehicles

Labour’s Transport Safety spokesperson, Darien Fenton says New Zealanders must be more aware of the need for driveway safety around children.

“With the highest rate of driveway accidents in the OECD, It’s time we got serious,” says Ms Fenton.

“My sympathies go out to the families who have lost children as a result of these tragic accidents.

Ms Fenton says there are a range of solutions the government could assist with such as:

o funding fencing as part of a retrofit programme in older state houses

o providing support to families of newborns to purchase proximity sensors or rear cameras

o extending education programmes such as that in West Auckland.

o Combining driveway safety information with child car seat purchases.

“At the very least, new parents should be provided with education and information.

“The death or injury of any child is horrendous for the parents and the family.

“New Zealand needs to step up and take urgent action to improve its appalling safety record,” says Ms Fenton.

ENDS

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