That is the wisdom Starting Out Safely project manager Zora Marko wants to impart on parents.
The Transport Accident Commission-funded program she is project manager of concentrates on road safety among those in their early years.
“If we engage with children at a young age, we can get attitudes entrenched,” she said.
“We want children to be safe as passengers, pedestrians and cyclists.”
Ms Marko said it was important that adults were also road safe around children.
“When you are out in the community, children are mimicking your behaviours,” she said.
“Cross roads when it is safe, and don’t disobey road rules.
“Do the right thing as adults.”
Ms Marko said the group also advocated for babies and children to remain in car seats for longer than what they legally had to.
She would like to see children remain in rearward-facing car seats until they are two and a half years old, rather than the six months.
She also wants children to remain in a car seat “until adult seatbelts fit”.
“We are seeing horrific injuries to young children when parents think they are doing the right thing,” she said.
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