A local family here did the same thing here, except the 18 mont old was in the front seat with mum and dad was driving, the 5 year old was in the back. Again driving home, 2 min down the street, at 11am at night, but they were hit by a drunk driver. All spent a considerable amount of time in hospital.

you may trust the person driving, but do you trust the others on the road?

Seriously not worth it in my books.