Authorities are warning parents to take care on their driveways with new research showing just how dangerous they can be.

Some cars have a blind spot stretching up to 15 metres.

Annabelle Carter reports.

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TRANSCRIPT

Each year four Queensland children under the age of five die as a result of parents accidentally driving over them in their driveway.

In conjunction with Fatality Free Friday, Kidsafe Queensland put together a demonstration today showing just how much drivers can’t see in their rear view mirror.

When comparing the Land Rover Discovery, Holden Barina, Toyota Tarago and the Holden Commodore for blind-spot distance – the Commodore had the longest, measuring more than fifteen metres of non-visible space behind the car.

Jane Sullivan, Owner of a Holden Commodore: “After seeing the findings today, that I think there was a fifteen metre area or blind spot, I was really shocked and frankly it’s sort of made me rethink about the sort of car I’ll buy next time.”

Fatality Free Friday was started in 2007 with the aim of creating one day a year in Australia with no road fatalities.

Creator of the event, Russell White, says road safety doesn’t end when you leave the road.

Russell White, Creator of Fatality Free Friday: “The purpose of this display today is to highlight the dangers that exist not just on the highway but in our very own driveways. The lives of young children to be claimed so easily through a little bit of inattention, a little bit of carelessness.”

One of the researchers has even proposed that government guidelines be imposed – forcing homeowners to separate their lawns from their driveways, in the name of child safety.

Bronwyn Griffith, Research Officer: “They recommend that the driveway is actually separated from the lawn. So separating by either, you know, your garage or garage wall and a door into the house.”

Fatality Free Friday will be held next week.

Annabelle Carter, QUT News