Released 25/07/2017
Child safety in ACT driveways and garages will be brought to the forefront over coming months in an effort to improve safety in home driveways and garages.
Statistics show that small children under five years are the most vulnerable in the home environment. In recent years, a study by the Bureau of Infrastructure Transport and Regional Economics (BITRE) found that, on average, six children aged under 5 years are killed each year in Australia and more than 40 are seriously injured due to being hit by a vehicle moving around the home.
The ACT Government is moving to make improvements for child safety in and around the home by focusing on driveway and garage safety. The death or risk of serious injury to a child caused by a collision with a vehicle at home will be a key focus for government to ensure greater awareness for prevention.
Nationally, a series of tragic incidents involving small children has seen road safety and injury prevention specialists examine the issues surrounding this problem and consider potential solutions.
“The Georgina Josephine foundation run by the parents of a child who was tragically killed in a garage accident brought this to our attention earlier this year, and I have been working hard to amend the building code to prevent any more tragic loss of life from children in driveway accidents.” Minister Gentleman said.
The greatest risk in these incidents that very young children face —90% of children killed and 70% of those seriously injured are under five years of age.
After some preliminary discussion with industry, the ACT Government has decided a change to the building code could substantially reduce risk of driveway accidents. Options could include the role of vehicle safety technologies, driver education and awareness campaigns, and new-house design measures – which have already been adopted by Hilltops Council in Young, NSW.
“We are seeking input from industry and the community, not only to consider the proposed changes, but also to put forward innovative solutions to reduce the number of driveway accidents involving young children.
Under the proposed changes new homes in the ACT would be subject to design requirement to help prevent young children entering unsupervised garages through an internal doorway. This would prevent children accessing driveways and other vehicle areas from the garage. The cost of this could be as low as $30 for a simple self-closing door mechanism.
Measures to prevent unsupervised child access to garages, and thereby to driveways and other vehicle movement areas, are being considered for incorporation into the ACT Appendix to the Building Code of Australia. The ACT Government will work with the community and industry on the proposed requirements, and today release the proposed draft regulation and explanatory statement.
The ACT Government will work with the community over the next eight months to seek views on better driveway and garage safety for children in the ACT. The Minister will also put the changes proposed for the ACT on the next agenda of the Building Ministers Forum to be held in November 2016.
For more information, visit www.yoursay.act.gov.au
Georgina Josephine foundation: www.gjfoundation.com.au
- Statement ends -
Mick Gentleman, MLA | Media Releases