How often do you see kids in vehicles NOT wearing seatbelts? [Archive]

cocopops

05-13-2008, 12:54 PM

Ugh, here all the time! Heck, I've even seen people holding infants in the front seat. Makes me SICK!

This drives me absolutely CRAZY I have known one to many people to DIE just because they were not wearing there seatbelt!!!! I recently just completed a video tribute for parents who lost there 16 year old in a car accident because she was NOT wearing her seatbelt :(:mad:

I write license plates down and call the cops!! I even followed a very old van on the freeway one day a few years ago because I saw not only 1 but 3 children all under the age of 4 literally walking around and jumping over seats!! This van was probably an 8 seater but there were at least 12 adults and the 3 kids without seat belts or seats!! I don't even want to imagine what would have happened if they got in an accident! UGH!

The irresponsibility of some parents/guardians KILLS ME! :mad: :mad:

imagirliegirl

05-13-2008, 01:16 PM

I don't know if I've ever seen it where I live now.

When I lived in Texas I saw it ALL the time.

attorneymom

05-13-2008, 01:23 PM

I don't usually notice kids with no seatbelts/car seats, but I do occasionally see someone in the front seat holding a small child on their lap. HATE That!

ladybug777

05-13-2008, 01:45 PM

Yep, I see this and people w/ their carseats in the front seat. Drives me crazy!

Cocotte

05-13-2008, 01:48 PM

Too often :(

Pink_Converse

05-13-2008, 01:54 PM

When I lived in Texas I saw it ALL the time.

That's where I am.

Adaya

05-13-2008, 02:16 PM

Unfortunately, too often. It makes me so angry.

Daisy

05-13-2008, 02:21 PM

What?! This is nuts, I don't think I've ever noticed a kid in a car not wearing a seat belt.

Rose

05-13-2008, 02:35 PM

Not very often.

salysaturn

05-13-2008, 02:41 PM

Not to start a fight, but it's probably more where you live. Honestly, I have seen it a lot, but with immigrants more so. Have you noticed that as well?

cocopops

05-13-2008, 03:03 PM

Not to start a fight, but it's probably more where you live. Honestly, I have seen it a lot, but with immigrants more so. Have you noticed that as well?

I do understand that some cultures see it not being a necessity but if I have to be the a-hole and "educate" a parent on the importance of wearing a seatbelt. Let me be an a-hole I don't care where you come from i'm saying something. Just call me the seat belt warrior :D

PLEASE WATCH THIS:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=00JZfFaXIsE

and please comment. Especially those who may not think seat belts are a "big deal".

kedzieb

05-13-2008, 03:07 PM

Not to start a fight, but it's probably more where you live. Honestly, I have seen it a lot, but with immigrants more so. Have you noticed that as well?

Not with immigrants here. I've noticed it in people of all colors/ethnicities in the South though.

Soulmate

05-13-2008, 03:08 PM

I am in a decently urban area and recently saw a man and woman squeeze into an el camino with their 4 year old daughter sitting in between them obviously not in any kind of restraint and probably sitting on the e-brake. This is the first time I ever saw any child not restrained in a vehicle and it was pretty bad.

maxandmolly

05-13-2008, 03:28 PM

Almost every day.

karlatta

05-13-2008, 03:32 PM

Once or twice a week, probably. It depends on what time of day I'm out and where I'm driving. I do notice it more in low-income areas.

imagirliegirl

05-13-2008, 03:34 PM

Not to start a fight, but it's probably more where you live. Honestly, I have seen it a lot, but with immigrants more so. Have you noticed that as well?

I do think that was the main issue where I lived as a specific immigrant population was very high.

Kanga

05-13-2008, 04:39 PM

All the time! I don't think I've ever seen a small child/infant being held in the front though. Shoot, you'd think as craptastic as these parents could be you'd think they'd WANT their kids strapped down in carseats and belts so they weren't bouncing all over the place and driving the adults mad.

ThreeYell

05-13-2008, 05:24 PM

Frequently, and with all different races and ethnicities. It's so infuriating.

ManteoChik

05-13-2008, 05:27 PM

Around here occasionally, but I used to see it when I lived in FL all.the.time.

One day I was driving down I-4 going very fast :o (at least 85-90...I have a heavy foot) when I look at the minivan next to me only see a man driving the SAME speed as me and the women in the passenger seat holding a baby on her lap.

dana b

05-13-2008, 06:24 PM

i never see stuff like that, the worst i see is young toddlers in boosters.

jennylou

05-13-2008, 06:32 PM

I see it - maybe once or twice a week. Drives me crazy! Not only should they be sitting, and not running the back seat, but they usually are small enough that they should be IN a flipping car seat. :( I have also seen a child on the lap in the front passenger seat. I debated calling 911 (didn't know the local police number), even had looked at the plate and memorized it (I was sitting at a light, as they were). They turned right on red (I was waiting to go straight). As I was debating using the 911 system (in all of about five seconds), a cop passed in front of me and was headed in their direction. I hope he pulled them over.

Ellyn

05-13-2008, 06:46 PM

I see it quite often. One time I was waiting in the car for DH while he ran into a store. I saw a woman come out of the store with her 2 kids, buckled the older one in a car seat, climbed into the passenger seat and began BF her baby while the driver DROVE OFF! :mad:

DH's cousin's family is CONVINCED that it is a law that you can have a baby out of the carseat as long as you are nursing them. Apparently you can't get in an accident while nursing? :confused: It pisses me off so badly. How hard is it to pull over for a little so you can feed your child? But this is the same cousin that drives around with her children out of their seats - because they don't LIKE to be buckled in (and they cry)...and her DH is a EMT/lt. firefighter. When she rounds the corner for her house, she has someone with her buckle them in (usually her mom or dad) because she knows he would kill her if he found out the kids were out of their seats. What she doesn't realize is that if you insist kids be in their seats at all times, they get used to them. I don't know if she does this much anymore since the older one is old enough to tell daddy. :rolleyes:

ManteoChik

05-13-2008, 06:48 PM

I believe you can have an infant out of their carseat (in some states) if you are BFing...however, I was under the impression it was only in the back seat not the front.

daphne

05-13-2008, 07:18 PM

I believe you can have an infant out of their carseat (in some states) if you are BFing...however, I was under the impression it was only in the back seat not the front.

Whoa. That just seems crazy to me...

attorneymom

05-13-2008, 07:37 PM

In my state, there is in fact an exception for breastfeeding - you can have your baby out of the car seat, and I think you can even be in the front seat. I never did that, though - we always factored in time to stop so I could nurse. I never would have dreamed of having my baby out of the seat while the car was moving.

I was in our local mall parking lot one time, and saw a family with five kids. None of the kids were buckled in the back seat, and mom was holding a small child (maybe about a year or so), in the front seat. She was also pregnant, and not wearing a seatbelt.

Niobe

05-13-2008, 07:39 PM

When I lived in Texas I saw it ALL the time.

Yeah, I did too.

I don't see it AS much in California, but I did see a freaking brand new BMW 7-series with a small toddler standing up staring out the back window. Now, those assholes can't even PRETEND to claim they can't afford a damn carseat. :rolleyes:

NYN

05-13-2008, 07:40 PM

Ribbit

05-13-2008, 07:54 PM

I see this all the time where I live. I have also been asked multiple times by several different mothers in my playgroup if they (and their child, obviously) could have a ride home and I always kind of stare at them like I don't understand :confused:. One woman tried convincing me that it was okay b/c she only lived on the other side of the boulevard. Oh, by the way, the local paper refers to this particular street as The Boulevard of Death. Crazy people.

I would just tell them I don't have an extra car seat. And if they persist, I'd mention that I don't need a $175 ticket (or whatever it is in your area) or the guilt if an accident were to occur. What are these mothers thinking?? :confused:

Pink_Converse

05-14-2008, 07:43 AM

I do live in an area w/ a high immigrant pop. and that is who I mostly see doing it.

msnicolea

05-14-2008, 07:44 AM

Almost every day. I really pay attention to this and it blows my mind--infants, little kids--clearly unrestrained.

Guinness

05-14-2008, 08:03 AM

I see it all too often. The one that infurated me was a little girl running around the van. I want to yell at the parents. In my state it is a law, but people can only be cited if they are pulled over for something else 1st. Never heard of the nursing law - that is ridiculous. Stop the car, feed the baby and keep going. Carseats to me is one of the non-negotiables of parenting. I don't care if my kid screams the entire trip.

jimmysgirl424

05-14-2008, 08:22 AM

Carseats to me is one of the non-negotiables of parenting. I don't care if my kid screams the entire trip.

ITA! I am having a hard time understanding anyone who thinks its okay to compromise their children's safety like that. :confused:

Niobe

05-14-2008, 08:33 AM

I believe you can have an infant out of their carseat (in some states) if you are BFing...however, I was under the impression it was only in the back seat not the front.

One of my friends breastfed with her baby still strapped into the carseat. Took some flexibility, but she managed. She had to be unbuckled in the back seat, but she felt that was a lot safer than the baby being unbuckled.

starfishdog

05-14-2008, 08:48 AM

I don't see it every day, but it's a frequent sight where I live. I'm always appauled and amazed that a parent would not strap their kids in or pull over until they get strapped in. They are like little missles in a moving vehicle. If you slam on their breaks, a loose child or even a loose pet could go straight through the windshield like a shot off canon ball.

Suz'e

Belm

05-14-2008, 09:03 AM

I hardly saw it all when we were leaving in Southeastern Virginia, but now that we are in Northwest Florida - we see it all of the time. I've never seen so many kids and dogs in the back of a truck before. It freaks me out driving behind a jacked-up pick up truck with children and dogs in it.

Delta

05-14-2008, 09:37 AM

I don't think I'd ever even notice that.

imagirliegirl

05-14-2008, 10:21 AM

Never heard of the nursing law - that is ridiculous. Stop the car, feed the baby and keep going. Carseats to me is one of the non-negotiables of parenting. I don't care if my kid screams the entire trip.

No kidding!

Either stop or wait until you get home. Good grief.

Delta

05-14-2008, 10:30 AM

One woman tried convincing me that it was okay b/c she only lived on the other side of the boulevard. Oh, by the way, the local paper refers to this particular street as The Boulevard of Death.If it's the "Boulevard of Death" would crossing on foot with a child have been any safer? :confused:

I've never heard of the nursing law. I've nursed my babies in their carseats too but that's still pretty unsafe for both baby and mom.

ETA: I've also taken my young babies out of their carseats a few times when they were really freaking out and we were on the interstate with nowhere to stop quickly or as we are pulling off. I've also gotten stuck a few times in Europe without a carseat and held my babies in my lap. I didn't really have much choice.

mmm0708

05-14-2008, 10:36 AM

I've worked in banks for the past 8 years... I've seen more kids that I could count (in the drive thru) not in car seats. So sad. :( No car seat, no booster seats, inadequate seats, no seat belt at all... all so sad and makes me so angry.

Neen

05-14-2008, 12:18 PM

A few years back there was an accident here in my town. The mother had her baby in a car seat, but the car seat wasn't strapped down. The baby died. Of course they sued the driver who hit them (but she had run the light).

KGif

05-14-2008, 02:14 PM

I can't recall the last time I saw something like that. However ...

On Mother's Day my husband went out to the store to get me breakfast. When he came home he said there had been an accident at the intersection where the grocery store is and said "it looked BAD. Really bad."

Well ... here is what happened:

http://www.fauquier.com/news/2008/may/13/warrenton-gainesville-fatal-wreck-child/

It was early in the morning .. I'd be willing to bet that kid was laying down in the backseat of the van b/c he was tired. Bet his parent's thought it would be okay. This saddens me so so deeply ... but further proves that no matter the time ... no matter how short the trip ... seatbelts should always always ALWAYS be worn.

Scooter

05-14-2008, 05:22 PM

I see it, too. All different ethnicities.
I debated calling 911 (didn't know the local police number)

I know this came up in a thread around here before, but in CA the Highway Patrol has a number that they encourage people to call when they see kids out of their carseats:

from the CHP website (http://www.chp.ca.gov/):
Assist the CHP in educating motorists who don't buckle up their children. Report unrestrained children by calling 1-800-TELL-CHP (1-800-835-5247).

Other states might have similar non-emergency numbers like that set up--good to program into the cell. ;)

cocopops

05-14-2008, 06:18 PM

ETA: I've also taken my young babies out of their carseats a few times when they were really freaking out and we were on the interstate with nowhere to stop quickly or as we are pulling off. I've also gotten stuck a few times in Europe without a carseat and held my babies in my lap. I didn't really have much choice.

yikez :eek:

Not trying to knock you by any means or start a war :( But you do have a choice when it's your child's life. My daughter is not now not ever unbuckling her seat belt in a moving car for any reason what so ever. If we can't stop she will have to wait. There is no negotiating with my 3 1/2 yr old she will be just fine. I could comfort her for however long it takes until we find a safe place to stop. I'm sorry I know of one to many children, teens & adults that have lost there lives as a result of it.

If traveling I make sure I take every precaution and call every place that I will be traveling to just to make sure I could... A) take the car seat B) find out if they provide carseats, etc. especially in Europe where the speed limit is much higher then in he US. I even avoid the shuttle's at airports, hotels, etc because they do not have seat belts to strap in a carseat which in IMO is ridiculous!

I also find sad that a lot of parents do not know or take the time out to learn how to correctly strap a child in a car seat!! I see people (my friends & family members incl) that put there child in the seat and you see straps hanging off of shoulders, you see the kids easily able to wiggle out. It drives me absolutely crazy!!!

imagirliegirl

05-14-2008, 06:44 PM

If it's the "Boulevard of Death" would crossing on foot with a child have been any safer? :confused:

It may not be a place where people walk but a place where a lot of accidents occur.

Ellyn

05-14-2008, 06:51 PM

Not trying to knock you by any means or start a war But you do have a choice when it's your child's life. My daughter is not now not ever unbuckling her seat belt in a moving car for any reason what so ever. If we can't stop she will have to wait. There is no negotiating with my 3 1/2 yr old she will be just fine. I could comfort her for however long it takes until we find a safe place to stop. I'm sorry I know of one to many children, teens & adults that have lost there lives as a result of it.

If traveling I make sure I take every precaution and call every place that I will be traveling to just to make sure I could... A) take the car seat B) find out if they provide carseats, etc. especially in Europe where the speed limit is much higher then in he US. I even avoid the shuttle's at airports, hotels, etc because they do not have seat belts to strap in a carseat which in IMO is ridiculous!

My thoughts exactly. That is non negotiable in our family too. I also don't know how anyone could be "stuck" without a carseat...how did you get to where you were in the first place without a seat? :confused:

SIL and her husband are so "whatever" about the carseat issue that they will NEVER be allowed to watch our children alone (not the only reason, but a big one). One time I saw MIL buckling SILs DS into the carseat and noticed the carseat wasn't buckled into the car! :eek: I pointed it out and MIL said "whoops" and buckled it back in with a click, SIL just kinda laughed...ummm, sorry but the seatbelt shouldn't be able to just be clicked in without putting some weight on the seat.

Delta

05-14-2008, 10:00 PM

I'm actually pretty nervous about carseat safety (just ask my IL's and my oldest son and my husband whom I've freaked out on plenty of times about the chest thingy, LOL) but sometimes you have to do what you have to do. We had been traveling by plane and train the whole time in Europe with our 4 month old. A family friend and the person we were staying with picked us up from the station in Munich and he forgot to bring the carseat he promised to bring. I certainly wasn't going to tell him to leave us stranded in downtown Munich so we got in the car. I wasn't happy about it but what else was I going to do? It was dark outside and there are no 24 hour Walmarts in downtown Munich that I could have sent him to in order to pick one up.

We've taken buses and plenty of shuttles without carseats and while I don't love it I do it.

And I'm not going to let my newborn scream bloody murder waiting for us to exit the interstate. Older babies and kids, yes. But I'm ok with a minute or 2 out of the carseat for my newborn while we come to a stop when he's freaking out.

emmjay

05-14-2008, 10:26 PM

I saw this once on the Garden State Parkway in NJ. The people were going at least 75 mph in a van, and they had 3 kids (one was a toddler) basically running all over the back of the van. When we got to a toll, I pulled up next to them and said something to the effect of, "Your kids should really be in seatbelts because that is not safe at all". They just gave me a dirty look. I was in college at the time so maybe they didn't want some 19 yr old telling them what to do.

I did ride in a car once with DS without a carseat. If you remember last year in Denver there was a huge blizzard right before Christmas. My husband was stuck in Minneapolis for work, and our car was at the airport. I had to go to the store (10 blocks) to get formula and food, so I went to take the bus with DS in a Bjorn. Normally I would walk but most of the sidewalks weren't plowed so I figured the bus would be better. It never showed up, so I walked. By the time I got to the store I had thrown my back out and could barely walk anymore. I tried waiting for the bus again to go home, and even called to see when it would be coming, and they said 2.5 hours. There was no way I could wait that long with a hungry/tired 5 month old, so I started hobbling home. Some guys in an SUV stopped and offered me a ride, so I took it. It was like 9 blocks with DS in his Bjorn - I didn't feel like I had much of a choice since I could barely walk (I ended up lying on the bed with DS for most of the next 36 hours until DH got home).

cocopops

05-14-2008, 11:20 PM

And I'm not going to let my newborn scream bloody murder waiting for us to exit the interstate. Older babies and kids, yes. But I'm ok with a minute or 2 out of the carseat for my newborn while we come to a stop when he's freaking out.

:eek: :eek:

I'm sorry I just gotta say it...

That minute or two could cost you your child's life!! :mad:

Niobe

05-14-2008, 11:21 PM

I see this all the time where I live. I have also been asked multiple times by several different mothers in my playgroup if they (and their child, obviously) could have a ride home and I always kind of stare at them like I don't understand :confused:. One woman tried convincing me that it was okay b/c she only lived on the other side of the boulevard. Oh, by the way, the local paper refers to this particular street as The Boulevard of Death. Crazy people.
You know, I could see where that attitude could easily form in NYC, since you don't have to use carseats in taxis there. Not saying it's a healthy attitude to have, but I could see where it would come from.

Niobe

05-14-2008, 11:21 PM

:eek: :eek:

That minute or two could cost you your child's life!!

The distraction caused by the hysterical screams of small child could also be enough to cause an accident and kill the whole family. :rolleyes:

Delta

05-14-2008, 11:25 PM

:eek: :eek:

I'm sorry I just gotta say it...

That minute or two could cost you your child's life!! :mad:Thank you for the warning. We made it out of that stage just fine, though.

cocopops

05-14-2008, 11:37 PM

Thank you for the warning. We made it out of that stage just fine, though.

Well thank god nothing happened to your child. There have been countless others that haven't been as lucky as you! :( :(

No matter WHAT AGE YOU ARE YOU SHOULD ALWAYS, ALWAYS wear your safety belt. It makes me real sad that you feel like it isn't a big deal.

Delta

05-14-2008, 11:41 PM

Niobe

05-15-2008, 12:13 AM

Well thank god nothing happened to your child. There have been countless others that haven't been as lucky as you! :( :(

No matter WHAT AGE YOU ARE YOU SHOULD ALWAYS, ALWAYS wear your safety belt. It makes me real sad that you feel like it isn't a big deal.

Boy, I hope you drive a car with excellent safety ratings and side-impact airbags. YOU COULD DIE OTHERWISE!!!!!!! :rolleyes:

cocopops

05-15-2008, 12:14 AM

Good grief, cocopops. It's not like I drive around all over the place with my kids hanging out of the car all the time. I don't consider it 'lucky' that nothing happened. I call it recognizing the one in a million odds that something could happen and taking that chance.

And I also don't make my kids wear helmets while riding their bikes and I let them play outside alone and I will probably let them walk to school by themselves too.

One in a million!? yeah you keep telling yourself that :rolleyes:

Okay... So uh, what do you want a cookie for not putting a helmet on your child?! C'mon! :rolleyes:

I'm over it, I will say a prayer for every child who is left unbuckled, and un protected! Sigh* :(

Niobe

05-15-2008, 12:27 AM

Hmm... apparently, less than half of the children who died in car accidents in the U.S. in 2005 were unrestrained. That would be less than 700 children. Out of how many in this country? I'm not sure one in a million was a statistically that incorrect of a statement, even if it was meant as a hyperbole.

cocopops

05-15-2008, 12:49 AM

Niobe

05-15-2008, 12:55 AM

What point are you seriously trying to make!?

WOW!

www.journeysafe.com

That you are acting a bit hysterical.

cocopops

05-15-2008, 01:35 AM

That you are acting a bit hysterical.

No!!!! Hysterical is when you get into a car accident and your child DIES because he or she wasn't wearing a seatbelt JUST BECAUSE mom or dad didn't think it was important!!! Let me ask you... Do you know anyone who has died as a result of not wearing their seatbelt?

I Do...

Natalie Chandler (DIED, May 2nd she was ejected from a vehicle and DIED on the scene) I JUST DID A VIDEO TRIBUTE for her parents and attended the funeral last week, the memorial was on Monday!

Jessica Henderson, age 3 (died in 95), Barbara Dubois, 15 (died in 95), Alicia Acala, age 12 (died in 01), Jessica Connolly, age 17... All of these people were under the age of 18 and I knew them all. They all DIED as a result of NOT WEARING THERE SEAT BELTS!

Gillian Sabet (http://www.gilliansabet.com) whom I did not know died in 2005 on prom night (elected ASB President and was to be crowned prom queen) that same exact night when she too was EJECTED and KILLED ON THE SCENE. WHY!? Because she was not wearing her seatbelt!!!

I guess it does not become a big deal until it actually happens to someone you know!!

twainny

05-15-2008, 04:10 AM

Heidi9771

05-15-2008, 05:40 AM

We live in southern New Hampshire and I rarely see children out of the car seat, but that could just be my personal experience.

honeygirl

05-15-2008, 09:50 AM

I'm in the Southwest and don't recall seeing any kids without seatbelts on. I was surprised to hear that there are states where you can breastfeed while being a passenger. I've done the gymnastic breastfeeding over DDs carset and it was painful/difficult! Does anyone know what the states are that allow car/breastfeeding? I'm not sure that I would do it, especially given the risk, but it could have been helpful at times.

imagirliegirl

05-15-2008, 09:52 AM

She knows someone who just died because they weren't wearing a seatbelt, stop calling her hysterical. You'd be upset and sensitive, too. :rolleyes:

yby1

05-15-2008, 10:18 AM

I don't pay attention to other children. It's not my business.

Ribbit

05-15-2008, 11:07 AM

I don't pay attention to other children. It's not my business.

Seriously? So if a parent were holding a knife up to a child's neck, you wouldn't pay any attention?

Not that I'm saying that these are exactly the same issue, but at what point does a helpless individual's safety and well-being matter?

imagirliegirl

05-15-2008, 11:24 AM

I don't pay attention to other children. It's not my business.

Oooooo! You're gonna be in trouble! :p

Pink_Converse

05-15-2008, 11:42 AM

I don't pay attention to other children. It's not my business.

I have eyes. I can't help but see this at stoplights, etc.

mrschica

05-15-2008, 12:16 PM

Here in Mexico 41% of children under the age of 18 die in transportation accidents. I don't say "car" accidents, because most people here can't afford one, and the ones who can have so many kids, that in the small, cheap cars they do drive, they can't hold all the safety seats needed (and again, they're expensive here for the average Mexican). So a lot of these kids die when the bus they're on crashes or collides off a cliff, taxi cabs, micro-buses, etc.

It's tragic that almost half the children here die from not being in a safety seat, but the situation is different here due to the economy, not to mention, it's not against the law here, that I know of. Even if it were, laws here are not enforced, if you're merging onto a highway or crossing the street, pray to God, because it is very dangerous in Mexico where there are no stop signs or traffic lights (at least not many).

I'm lucky enough to live in what's considered an ideal location since I'm in safe walking distance from shopping centers, and the subway, etc. and don't need a car or public trans, usually.

yby1

05-15-2008, 12:21 PM

I have eyes. I can't help but see this at stoplights, etc.

I just don't notice it. I see the car, but not the passengers, unless they are doing something completely extraordinary.

Pink_Converse

05-15-2008, 12:40 PM

I glance at cars around me and just notice I guess. Maybe I'm nosy ;)

yby1

05-15-2008, 12:46 PM

I glance at cars around me and just notice I guess. Maybe I'm nosy ;)

That's not a bad thing. Someone could be pointing a gun at me and I probably wouldn't notice. :rolleyes:

Kimberland30

05-15-2008, 12:55 PM

That's not a bad thing. Someone could be pointing a gun at me and I probably wouldn't notice. :rolleyes:

LOL, same here.

I've actually never noticed other passengers/drivers in cars around me. I don't drive very often in traffic, and most of the time when I am I'm watching for @sshole drivers, not to see who has on a seatbelt.

I wear mine anytime I'm in the car, as do my passengers. I don't move until we are all buckled in. Even on long trips, if the kids wanted to sleep they had to do so with their seatbelts on. Might not have been the most comfy thing for them, but I sure as hell felt better.

bea_mama

05-15-2008, 01:33 PM

Here in Mexico 41% of children under the age of 18 die in transportation accidents.

Do you mean that 41% of the children under 18 that die do so in transportation accidents or that 41% of children die (and their deaths are caused by transportation accidents). Because :eek: at both statistics, but :eek::eek::eek: at the second version.

I don't typically see kids out of car seats/seat belts where I live but have definitely seen kids that are too young for backless booster seats in them (with the shoulder belt practically over their faces). I have seen the infant in the front seat thing when driving in different areas of the country though. Also when travelling in the UK - I spent an entire trip being shocked by infant seats in the front seat, very old and worn out seats, seats not secured with seatbelts, and no carseats at all. Our friends there thought I was crazy for dragging along 2 Britax seats everywhere we went for our kids! :p

mrschica

05-15-2008, 02:19 PM

Do you mean that 41% of the children under 18 that die do so in transportation accidents or that 41% of children die (and their deaths are caused by transportation accidents). Because :eek: at both statistics, but :eek::eek::eek: at the second version.

It's the first one, of deaths under the age of 18, 41% are caused by transportation accidents. :(

It's such a high number and so preventable. My DH once saw an accident here in Mexico where a bunch of young teens were ejected from their vehicle and lay about like rag dolls. He still can't get those haunting images out of his head.

Sad.

bea_mama

05-15-2008, 02:34 PM

That's awful, mrschica.

ManteoChik

05-15-2008, 02:53 PM

cocopops - you would be hysterical if you saw what goes on in the rest of the world. Where I live, we see on a DAILY basis WHOLE FAMILIES on motorcycles/motor scooters. I am talking about Dad driving, toddler (3-5 yo), and then Mom, sitting side saddle, HOLDING a NEWBORN . And most of the time Dad is SMOKING (ie, driving ONE HANDED!!!) Talk about crazy!!!!

I would say less than .05% of the population here uses carseats. And those that do, I have seen - infant seats placed in the front seat, forward facing of course. I think I have only seen on local with a rear facing seat.

I have driven with DS without being in a carseat. Since there are obviously no laws here. I don't like doing it, but then again, my max speed in MAYBE 20 MPH (i know that doesn't make it right, but I'm not doing it on the highway going 80!)

This is very common in a lot of places. BF spends several months out of every year in Mexico (near Cancun) and I visit quite a bit. Most people get around the island on Golf Cart, but the locals are usually on mopeds. Its very common to see whole families (mom, dad, 3 kids) on the moped with no helmets, kids hanging off the back, and mom holding the baby on her side facing out with only one hand.

ETA: Come to think of it, even when I see kids in cars they are never in carseats - and there are usually more kids than seats in the car.

Delta

05-15-2008, 11:26 PM

Re the hysteria -

I can appreciate that carseats are huge issue for some people. I mean, they are certainly a huge issue for me, obviously, but it's not my personal crusading issue like it is for some people. My issue, I suppose, would be breastfeeding. Or circumcision.

I think that these days the issues of child safety and protection have become so absolute that thinking or talking or acting logically about it is pretty taboo.

Niobe

05-16-2008, 12:57 AM

I just don't notice it. I see the car, but not the passengers, unless they are doing something completely extraordinary.
I usually only notice if the kid is jumping up and down on the back seat, so that I keep seeing a small head popping up and down. ;)

thyme

05-16-2008, 07:28 AM

I don't notice it. And I don't really care.

Ellyn

05-16-2008, 08:36 PM

I don't notice it. And I don't really care.
Honestly, I never used to notice it either, but now that I have 2 kids of my own and realize how quick and easy it is to buckle them in properly (once the seat is in correctly ;) ), it pisses me off when others don't take a minute to buckle their kids in.

HGMorgann

05-22-2008, 07:42 AM

I don't see it often (or ever) in S. NH either and I'm somewhat nosy.

My husband's aunt never strapped in her babies. She still says: "There's no place safer for a baby than in it's mothers arms." Ugh. Yeh, and your arms defy the laws of physics.

GlamaGal

05-22-2008, 07:47 AM

I never see kids not in their car seats.

I'm passionate about it. I'm also passionate about adults always having their seat belts on. I don't think there is an excuse in the US to not have your child buckled in their car seat. That's something I'm pretty black & white about.

kristine80

05-22-2008, 08:55 AM

I've never seen children not in car seats or seatbelts! As a parent that thought scares me though! :( Now I'm curious if I've just not been paying attention though, and I will be on the look out!

Shermy

05-22-2008, 09:37 AM

I see waaaaayy too many children in cars w/o seatbelts bouncing around in the backseat and it amazes me and it isn't even just kids w/o seatbelts, it is toddlers not in car seats strapped in as well! Do those parents think their children will not have to obey the laws of physics if an accident were to occur? I live in San Diego, so it is not like people around here are driving on rural roads with out another car in sight. Every road is at least two lanes each way.

Along the same lines, I see way too many carseats in the front seat. I am not a parent so I don't know all the in's and out's of carseats but I thought it was highly unsafe to have an infants car seat in the front next to the airbag..right?

thyme

05-22-2008, 12:49 PM

On many modern cars the passenger airbag automatically disengages if the car detects a child-sized weight in that seat. I know mine does -- a bag of cat food turned it off yesterday.

imagirliegirl

05-22-2008, 02:02 PM

On many modern cars the passenger airbag automatically disengages if the car detects a child-sized weight in that seat. I know mine does -- a bag of cat food turned it off yesterday.

Interesting! Mine doesn't do that but it does have that huge "don't put a car seat here" sticker on the visor.

Isn't the back seat safer even if the car doesn't have an airbag?

GlamaGal

05-22-2008, 08:25 PM

Interesting! Mine doesn't do that but it does have that huge "don't put a car seat here" sticker on the visor.

Isn't the back seat safer even if the car doesn't have an airbag?

Yes. It's always the safest. Even for older kids who aren't a certain height/weight because of the way the airbag could hit them, and potentially cause more harm than help.