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Home › Articles › Home Safety Issues › Driveway Safety

Driveway Safety

Know the Facts to Prevent Backovers and Other Accidents

By Kelly Burgess

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  • Always know for certain where your child is before starting your vehicle. You may think he or she is watching television, but the child may have decided to run outside for one last goodbye to Dad or Grandma. Double check. Communicate with the person who is going to be in the car so you both know for sure.
  • Always lock your car. Children can get into an unlocked car and, in trying to emulate Mommy or Daddy driving, can put it into gear, potentially harming themselves or other children. They can also lock themselves in and may suffer heat stroke or hypothermia.
  • Do not use the driveway as a recreational area. Dr. Ford acknowledges that this is a very common practice, but says if it is done, then cars should not be in the garage when the children are playing, and brightly colored, portable barriers should be put up at the end of the driveway to discourage anyone from turning in.

    In addition, if possible, add a rear-view camera to your vehicle. Fennell says the quality has been going up and the price going down, so they're very affordable. Also available are sensors, although Dr. Ford notes that they are not as reliable when dealing with children as with stationary objects. Also, know your vehicle. The Kids and Cars site offers a list at www.kidsandcars.org/blind-zonemeasurements.pdf, courtesy of Fennell's work with Consumer Reports, detailing the blind zone for virtually every car manufactured. Be aware and be vigilant. The life you save may be your own child's.

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