topic Re: Children travelling on lap in the car... in General Discussions

Children travelling on lap in the car...

giraffebaby — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 09:31:24 GMT

Yesterday driving home on the M1 I saw a mother with a child (aged about 3) on her lap looking out of the window. I was appauled.

Now i know there is a 101 police number but like me do you think you should be able to text/report something like that online?

Why do people still do that? Arghhh!!!

Re: Children travelling on lap in the car...

owly_2001 — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 18:48:31 GMT

Hi,

They ought to be shown pictures of what can happen to a child carried on their laps in an accident. This video is what can happen with unrestrained children in the back seat and a baby in a car seat in the passenger seat.

It's damned sobering stuff.

This one is an unrestrained child on someone's lap during an impact at 35mph.

Owly x

Re: Children travelling on lap in the car...

giraffebaby — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 09:10:02 GMT

Wow Owly... that would do it for sure!

Its just terrifying, especially on a motorway doing 70mph :(

Re: Children travelling on lap in the car...

owly_2001 — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 09:25:36 GMT

I've watched reality tv programmes on the police and they've stopped people for having an unrestrained child on board. They've tried to point out the dangers but I just don't think the parents are aware or even take it that seriously after being spoken to.

I think people would be horrified and shocked at just what can happen and where a child can end up if they are unrestrained. I've heard of them even going through a side window completely.

Owly x

Re: Children travelling on lap in the car...

Teanna — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 23:41:38 GMT

Absolutely terrifying! I wonder what makes them think they can gamble with a child's life like that? I mean, I grew up in the 70s and we happily bounced around unrestrained in the back seat or even the boot, but now we know better that it's dangerous for children and we have legislations and car seats there's no excuse for it.

I think people who do this should face prosecution to send a strong message out there not to put children at risk. I always feel shocked if i see a child unrestrained in a car.

I agree it should be possible to report something like that online,

love

Teanna

xxx

Re: Children travelling on lap in the car...

Holly_Community — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 07:01:01 GMT

I just had to chip into this too as it makes me so angry and so sad. These poor, trusting, innocent children are being left unprotected and in extreme risk by the people meant to protect them. I once saw a woman in a people carrier with her children, literally, running around in the back, including very small toddlers. We stopped side-by-side at a traffic light and our windows were open and I'm afraid I gave her both barrells. It made no difference, of course, except I got called a nosy so and so (or rather the stronger version of that!). Those poor children. There should be a campaign showing those videos at prime time.

A very cross Holly x

Re: Children travelling on lap in the car...

oh2bhappy — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 21:56:02 GMT

I think that should be reported if you have the number plate. I know the police find incidents like this shocking (and that's an understatement). I also think the driver should be prosecuted - and as for the Mother with the child on their knee...!

I've been involved in 7 crashes. Four were pretty major ones. None were my fault.

I think so many people have the "it won't happen to me" attitude that sadly it will take a personal incident to make them realise it can.

giraffebaby I share your Arghhhh!!!

We have a dog. When the dog is in the car she wears her doggy seat belt! (For the safety of us in the front, not necessarily hers.)

Re: Children travelling on lap in the car...

sparkling-sunshine — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 19:17:18 GMT

Scarey stuff Owly.

I agree with Holly in that there should be a prime time advertising campaign. People need educating and sometimes hard hitting stuff is the best way to do it.

Re: Children travelling on lap in the car...

Patsy1964 — Sat, 14 Apr 2012 13:33:14 GMT

@ girraffe Baby,

If you were travelling along the motorway and witnessed an unrestrained child, espically on a lap in the front seat, take the Registration Number of the vehicle.

Then the obvious answer would be to pull on the hard-shoulder at the next SOS box, and notify the Police.

SInce the seatbelt Laws came in to force, every person in a vehicle other than a bus or coach must have a seat belt fastened whilst the car is in motion. That includes infants and the requirement for baby cradles which can have a seat belt secured around them; and small children required to have proper bolster seats so they can fit in to an adult seat belt.

Re: Children travelling on lap in the car...

Patsy1964 — Sat, 14 Apr 2012 13:36:57 GMT

Ironic you mentioned the dog restraint.

I used to have a cat that travelled everywhere with me, and she had her own basket which I used to strap in to the front seat, so I could keep an eye on her.

I used to get some laughs at the time; but with cars getting heavier and more powerful even pets need to be restrained.

Re: Children travelling on lap in the car...

Patsy1964 — Sat, 14 Apr 2012 13:46:15 GMT

Agreed, but just imaging what it would have been like in the older cars like the Ford Anglia's and Minis'; Volkswaggons where they were built as solid blocks, no crumple zones ot anything to absorb shock on impact.

The most dangerous of all was the Volkswaggon Beetle, which in the 1960s had the fuel tank in the front of the car, compensate for the weight of the engine in the back.

A neighbour's son had a serious crash and the impact crumpled the front of the beetle's body so badly that the petrol tank burst. He was wearing a seat belt, but found that his lap was covered in petrol. Thank-fully he was not smoking nor had any electricals in the drvier area working, e.g. a radio; eitherwise it would have been BANG !