The death of one toddler and the injury of another in separate driveway accidents on Friday has child advocates calling for greater public awareness and extra safety measures.
Tyreese Newburne, aged 20 months, was killed after being hit by a relative backing out of his grandmother's drive in Onekawa, Napier, about 7.30pm. Half an hour later, another toddler was knocked down on a drive in the Hastings suburb of Flaxmere.
Tyreese had been playing in the front yard but got through a gate. The driver did not see him as he backed along the road at the end of the drive.
Safekids director Ann Weaver said on average four children were killed on driveways each year and more than 30 seriously injured.
"It's always a tragedy to hear about these incidents ... but the problem doesn't belong to anyone. There needs to be more public awareness around this issue."
Automobile Association technical services general manager Stella Stocks said reversing sensors and cameras were needed.
Plunket national child safety adviser Sue Campbell said adults should supervise children when they were playing anywhere near a road or driveway.
"A small child has no chance of being seen. It is tragic."
Yesterday Tyreese's father, Rocky Newburne, told his other children -- Savannah, 9, Zahn, 8, Osirus, 4 and Ashton, 3 -- their brother had gone to heaven.
Mr Newburne and his partner Valeria Tokoar have also spent time with the relative who hit Tyreese.
"He's totally devastated," Mr Newburne said. "He's blaming himself but he's not to blame. Ty was at the wrong place at the wrong time."
The mother of the boy injured in the Flaxmere accident said there needed to be more education about driveway safety.
"I have heard of a few kids hit by cars in driveways and I always think, `where were the parents?' But now we have been in this situation ... it's just so easy."
