Australians are being urged to think about driveway safety as part of Low Speed Vehicle Run Over Prevention Awareness Day.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said the day is a reminder to us all that road safety is not just about main roads and highways, but also driveways, garages and other low-speed environments.
"While much of the road safety focus is on highways and traffic collisions, we are also losing precious young lives in our driveways and garages," the Deputy Prime Minister said.
"The message is simple: Supervise, Separate and See. Supervise your children and know where they are in relation to the vehicle, Separate them from the threat of a driveway and moving car, and See behind the car by walking around it and checking before get in and keep an eye out behind you with a reversing camera.
"I encourage parents, carers and all drivers to minimise the threat, know your surroundings and do what you can to prevent the devastating loss of young life.
"Today marks 10 years since Emma and Peter Cockburn's daughter, Georgina, was tragically killed after being accidentally run over in the garage of their home.
"This is especially significant for me as Emma and Peter are from Young which is in my Riverina electorate."
Assistant Minister for Road Safety and Freight Transport Scott Buchholz said following this tragedy, the Cockburn family started the Georgina Josephine Foundation to raise awareness and run education campaigns to prevent other families from suffering the same loss they have, while also supporting the families of other victims.
"The Australian Government is proud to support the work of the foundation through the Road Safety Awareness and Enablers Fund.
"We have provided over $100,000 in funding to the Georgina Josephine Foundation towards a national radio awareness campaign, helping to get this important safety message out there to people driving their cars or listening to the radio at home."
