Would you let your 2 & 4yr old in a car without carseats?
Bit of background first - DD's & I are on holidays with family interstate, and Ive mainly been driven around by Mum (as my parents only have one car) and they have proper seats for my girls.
Anyway, today we were visiting with IL's and DH's extended family (even though DH didn't travel with us) and Mum dropped us off. We all decided to go out for coffee - there was a cafe just down the road - about 10-15mins walk away, so I said great - my girls & I will walk.
Now everyone made a big deal - because I wouldn't accept a lift with anyone - because no-one had carseats! They were insisting it was "just down the road" and "we have seatbelts, they'll be alright" - but to me, they are only 4 and 2 - and apart from it being illegal, I just refuse to take a chance like that!
It was a lovely day, and I was really happy to walk - so what was the problem?
I guess Im asking for people's opinions here, because I was being made to feel like I was the unreasonable one, when I felt totally justified wanting to walk!
Good on you for walking! There is not even the tiniest chance I would have let my kids (who happen to be the same ages) get it one of those cars!! NOT A CHANCE!!
I would have done exactly the same!!! No way would I risk my child for a coffee, which is what they were asking you to do! Only in the case of an emergency (ie rushing to a hospital, escaping a fire etc) would I ever consider not using a correct restraint.
funny, i was wondering if it was just me too. We went to a friends on friday, they live just nearthe river and we were all heading down there for a bbq. we had a heap of stuff so DH said he would drive down with the esky etc and everyone else was going to walk down. DD wanted to go with our friend and i said it was fine. i was going to go in the car with dh casue it was hot and i didnt fancy walking down with the baby. we get down to the river and they arnt there yet, dh rings,the have gone in the car to one of the other girls houses to get something....with DD...with NO car seat...without asking. i was pretty upset, luckily they realised how upset i was and managed to borrow a carseat of the neighbour for the way back, but i wasnt happy.
My dads best friend took his neighbours kid for a ride up and down thier road casue he had a new car and the boy wanted a go. the child was 7 and they had a freak accident, the child was killed and my dads friend went to jail for three years. so sad for all. and it sticks in my head when i think about traveling in cars with kids!!
in reply to your question....i would have walked too.
Having seen what happens to an "average four-year-old" crash test dummy that is restrained by a seatbelt but not sitting in a car/booster seat, I'd never in a million years let my children go anywhere in a car unless they were in an approved car seat/booster seat. They are just physically too little to be protected by a seat belt only. I think I was pg with DS2 when I saw the crash test dummy footage - I felt sick. You were definitely right to walk.
ps: I'm another who was put in a bassinett basket with a seatbelt somehow put around it (b '72). Thank God times have changed.
Well done SS for sticking to your guns, I would have done the same and it astounds me that some are willing to ignore the restraint laws so easily - especially when its their own flesh and blood, they should be ashamed!!
I'm with you, don't feel like you were in the wrong - you were in the right - I can't believe they would even try and talk you into something that could have a disastrous ending! The law is there for a very good reason to protect our children! I wouldn't even consider putting my kids in the car without car seats.
Thanks guys. I guess its silly of me to worry about being "too safe" with my girls Lol
It just baffles me how people can be so blase' about stuff like that!
Interestingly, I remember reading our RAA (same as RACQ) magazine a few years back and there was an article that a high percentage of accidents happen within a km or so from home (as people relax as they know the roads well and dont pay as much attention as they should)
Would you let your 2 & 4yr old in a car without carseats?
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