Road Safety

Welcome to Road Safety

Our Road Safety section provides information on keeping children safe in the car and on the road. In addition to providing road safety information Kidsafe NT also offer a child car restraint fitting, checking, hiring and advice service.

The risk of injury and death posed to children in car accidents is reduced by as much as 70 to 80 percent if proper restraints are correctly installed and used. It is now a legal requirement for all children up to the age of 7 years to travel in child car restraints appropriate for their age and development.

Kidsafe NT's renowned child car restraint hire, fit, check, sales and advisory service is performed by our Type 1 Child Car Restraint Fitters that are highly trained and accredited professionals. All funds raised from this service goes towards developing programs and materials for parents and caregivers to create safer environments for Territory kids.

To make a booking or enquiry regarding child car restraint fittings, please call us on (08) 8941 8234 or contact us via the Contact Us tab.

Information Sheets

Factsheets - Hot Cars
Fact sheet - Driveways
Parent's Guide to Roads
Fact Sheet - Child Car Restraints

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Driveway Safety

Tragically one child, often a toddler, is run over in the driveway of their home every week in Australia.
Studies have tested the rear vision of a number of popular cars and results show that there is a large “blind zone” behind most cars.

Small children are at risk of moving vehicles in low speed 'off road' locations such as driveways, yards and car parks. While driveway fencing and improvements to vehicle design can be helpful, supervision of children is critical wherever vehicles are likely to or going to be moved - hold their hands or hold them close to keep them safe.

How can I ensure children are Kidsafe around driveways?

Always supervise children and do not let them play around cars.
Hold their hand or hold them close to keep them safe.

Don’t let children play on or near the driveway as a play area.

If you are the only adult at home and need to move a vehicle, even only a small distance, place your child securely in the vehicle with you while you move it.

Make access to the driveway from the house difficult for young children by using security doors, fencing or gates.

Drivers should walk around their vehicle before moving it, especially where children may have been.

Children learn mostly by observation and imitation. Examples set by parents can have effects on their behavior.

Hot Cars

With soaring temperatures in the Northern Territory, leaving children unattended in the car, even for a short time, can be fatal - NEVER leave children unattended in the car. According to health experts, one of the most dangerous factors during excessively hot weather is the addition of humidity. Children do not tolerate the heat as well as adults as their bodies generate more heat relative to their size than adults do. They also lose more fluids because they have a greater proportion of skin surface in relation to their size. Leaving a child in a car can be extremely dangerous, so never leave children alone in a car.

What's the safest way to travel Kidsafe?

Cool your car down as much as possible before putting children in the car.
Provide plenty of cool fluids, preferably water, for all occupants and offer them to children regularly.
Dress children suitably to promote airflow around their bodies. If the car does not have air conditioning, dress children in lightweight and light coloured clothing.
For rear facing restraints, do not use a hood to protect the baby from the sun. This will decrease airflow around the baby’s head. Instead use a visor or sunshade to filter the sun’s rays.
Make frequent stops, at least every 2 hours, so that all occupants can get out of the car for exercise and fresh air.
This includes removing the baby from the capsule or restraint, and allowing the baby to roll around on a rug on the ground.
Double check that the harness fits the child – in summer time with children wearing lightweight clothing, restraints and harnesses may need to be tightened.
Plan car journeys for the cooler hours of the day.
Park undercover or in the shade to reduce the amount of the direct sunlight hitting your car.

Every year across Australia, over 5,000 kids are left unattended in cars. To prove just how hot the sun makes a parked car, renowned chef Matt Moran literally cooked a meal in one.

Pedestrian safety

Walking is an important part of children’s lives. It is important for their health and fitness, and their ability to get around their neighbourhood and community independently. Being a pedestrian can be a risky business, especially for children in busy areas. Roads are designed with adults in mind, but children are not ‘little adults’. They are less developed physically, cognitively and in terms of their traffic experience.

How can we be Kidsafe near traffic and crossing the road?

Supervise children at all times near traffic, particularly when crossing roads.
Hold hands when near traffic, especially when crossing the road.
Teach children to use the ‘safety door’ to get in and out of cars. This is the door on the kerb side behind the passenger seat.
Teach children to use footpaths, but make sure they know to watch out for cars when passing or crossing a driveway.
Explain words like “fast”, “slow”, “near” and “far”.
Talk about signs and traffic lights and the safe places to cross.
Point out dangerous places and where not to cross – near curves and where things might hide children from view.
If you are picking children up from school, have a safe meeting place, then cross the street with them. Never call them over from the opposite side of the street.
Teach children to “Stop, Look, Listen and Think” before crossing the road and make sure to explain what this means.
Teach children about safe places to cross the road including crosswalks and traffic lights.
Talk about signs and explain what they mean.
Make sure children wear clothes that are easy to see when out and about.

Bicycle & Wheeled Devices Safety

Cycling, skating, blading, scootering and skateboarding are fun activities the whole family can enjoy. It is important to remember that bicycles and other wheeled devices are not toys but rather vehicles that children use in public spaces, near or on roads.

Whenever children are riding wheeled devices or bicycles, it is important that they are wearing a correctly fitted helmet and one that meets the Australian Standard. Young children who wear helmets from the moment they start riding their first wheeled toy are more likely to continue wearing their helmet as they get older into their teen years.

How do we be Kidsafe on bicycles, skates, blades, scooters and skateboards?

Use protective equipment - always use a well fitted helmet. Elbow and knee pads are also a good idea for rollerblades and scooters.
Avoid poorly made or damaged products.
Use items that increase visibility to road users, pedestrians and vehicles.
Only ride during daylight hours.
Ensure supervised riding.
Make sure your child is taught road rules for safe riding practices.
Know the dangers of the driveway. Teach children that the driveway is dangerous and don't encourage riding on driveways.

Safely Transporting Children With Disabilities and Medical Conditions

For more information on safely transporting children with disabilities and medical conditions, visit Mobility and Accessibility for Children in Australia Ltd (MACA).