Horrifed and in tears ~ family drive off holding a 4/5month old baby, no car seat

[kirsty_lee]

That is so terrible! That is like a news story about ohh a week ago? A couple were pulled over for a routine rbt somewhere down south I think. And the police officer noticed that the 1 year old I think (he was still a baby thats for sure) was sitting in the back seat WITH A SEAT BELT ON!!! no capsule. And she copped a $200 fine. But when the reporter said to her, "Don't you understand that this is wrong" she said "but it's not my car" and the reporter was like "but what about a capsule" and all she could say was that it wasn't her car and that's why he wasn't strapped in. Like she fully did not understand why it was soooooo bad! THe couple were asian (and this has nothing to do with their race, please don't think im racist) but i've noticed a lot of asian families, who can't speak english very well, do the same thing. Im not sure whether that's because it's not mandatory in their country? or if they've not driven in their country? I dont know but it's scary!!!

[~Raven~]

Pretty obvious these people have never been in a car accident. I pity the poor child if they ever were because there would be buckleys chance of them being able to hold onto it A poor child suffers because of the lazy or ignorant parent. Not very fair is it!

[MantaRay]

Oh hun, that must have been so upsetting for you to see I know how you feel, it is so hard to watch kids lives being put at risk, or treated badly.

I am so glad that you called the police. You did everything you did to protect that bubba, good on you. I hope that can give you some closure - you did everything you could and beyond that, you can't be responsible for what happens. It's so hard not to take these things personally isn't it!

[Butterfly Child]

that is just wrong! it makes me so angry that their a people like this that put their kids in such danger!!

[Cassius2]

i reckon alot of it has to do with the mantra: 'it won't happen to me because...'. i remember having a huge fight with my cousin about his excessive speeding and his justification is: 'but i am always in control'. to which i reply: 'yeah until you're not'.

imo it comes from massive doses of ignorance. not necessarily malacious. i remember seeing a mum with her maybe 11-12 month old baby and seriously, they looked the picture of happiness, giggling baby, happy mum. then she pops him in the front seat and put the seatbelt on...no carseat and drives off...i was flabbergasted!

[SammyRo]

imo it comes from massive doses of ignorance. not necessarily malacious.

I agree with this - alot of the time its just down to ignorance - its what they see at home, or what they grew up with, or what they've been told by people close to them, and so they think its normal - its like the babies you see at food courts who must be younger than 12months and are happily being given macca's. I remember talking to a CYHN about our different experiences working in a similar area - she was talking to a family, discussing nutrition and asked if the toddler was eating family meals now - the reply was along the lines of 'yep, they have the cheeseburger as well as the fries now'!

[C~Q]

Wow, so sad and I agree it is ignorance. IMy Mum made a coomment to me years ago about holding Ds then 1 or 2 on my lap and when I said no she said "well we just used to put your basinette on the back seat and the car didn't even HAVE seatbelts in the back" um...that doesn't make it ok Mum

[Cherished]

I feel like crying too You did the right thing taking down their plates and calling he police.

[Mummyof2under2]

I have seen that so many times around where we live - disgraceful!!!

[Heaven]

wtf is wrong with people