St John has joined the growing body of safety groups calling for the wider use of reversing cameras as a means of reducing driveway deaths.

“All-too-often we are called to tragedies involving children hit by reversing cars. We support any moves that will result in a reduction of needless deaths and injuries," St John chief executive Jaimes Wood.

Hamish Wilson from Consumer New Zealand backed the call: “The problem is simple: the drivers of most modern cars can’t see what’s directly below the rear window of their vehicles.

"Parking sensors help: they beep as the driver reverses towards an object, but parking sensors only tell the driver that something is behind him, not what and where. We support the use of reversing cameras as the most effective means of preventing driveway reversing accidents .”