Youngsters learn about the dangers of reversing vehicles

Rotorua's young children and toddlers are to take part in a new initiative which aims to prevent youngsters being run over in driveways.

Next week, hundreds of concrete blocks will be sent to childcare centres around Rotorua free of charge for young children to decorate and paint as part of a new initiative called Safety Rock.

The blocks, or safety rocks, will then be taken home and placed in a safe area near the children's driveway, where they are taught to stand when a vehicle is backing.

Safety Rock team leader Julie Millar said to her knowledge, this was the first of its kind in New Zealand.

"It only takes a moment for a child to run in the way of a vehicle. Driveways are not safe places."

She said Treasure Rotorua and Safekids Rotorua thought the idea up after discussing the issue of children being run over earlier this year.

"Working with road safety in the past, I know most people are shocked to learn how low the visibility is behind many vehicles. In some cases, you can't see a toddler up to 10m behind a car, the blind spots are really bad."

Mrs Millar said it was most common for those aged between 18 months and 5 years to be hit by reversing cars, a tragedy which could be easily avoided.

However, she said after the idea was unveiled in March, no one had followed it up to spread it around local childcare centres.

"I really wanted to see the idea go ahead. As an individual I went out into the community and asked for help. People were great, we got all this awesome support."

Invitations to order one block per child have been sent to 55 care centres in Rotorua, but if you have missed out contact Mrs Millar on safetyrockpainting@gmail.com.