VW Report Highlights Complacency On Child Safety: Kidsafe Day

Volkswagen Australia has shown its support for today’s National Kidsafe Day 2012, with the release of an independent report into Australian road safety habits.

The Volkswagen Safer Roads Report surveyed 1250 Australian parents and grandparents, and the results suggest a greater emphasis on road safety is needed.

Nearly one quarter (22 percent) of respondents admitted to allowing children to travel unrestrained in their vehicle.

The report has highlighted complacency outside vehicles as well, with 35 percent of respondents admitting to not looking left and right before crossing roads with children, while 29 percent admitting to not even slowing down to check for traffic when crossing.

“The findings of the Volkswagen Safer Roads Report indicate we’ve become complacent when it comes to basic road safety practices," Kidsafe boss Peter Gibson said.

"There have been 90 road deaths among 0-16 year olds from July 2011 until the same time in 2012, we really need to do everything we can to bring this number down."

Child entertainers ‘The Wiggles’ have recorded a new song ‘Beep Beep, Buckle Up’ to highlight the report’s findings via their relationship with Volkswagen Australia.

“Road safety is an issue close to the hearts of Jeff, Murray, Greg and myself, so we really wanted to be involved with the Volkswagen Safer Roads Report and Kidsafe Day," Blue Wiggle Anthony Field said.

The song was inspired by one of the most alarming stats that came out from the research – 36% of young children unbuckle themselves from their restraint while in a moving car!” 

Significantly, the song is the last collaboration by the original Wiggles band members before they embark on their farewell tour.

Beep Beep, Buckle up can be downloaded from www.thewiggles.com/roadsafety (opens in a new window).

• Volkswagen | Road Safety | Studies & Research