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!

What would you have done?

i would have walked!!

Nope, I would have worked or not went.

Its ILLEGAL for a reason!

you totally did the right thing hun. good on you.

anything could have happened in that short trip.

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.

Same as you- I would have walked.


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No way! I would have walked too.

I would have walked too

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!!

eeekk! No way would I put my little ones in the car like that, even if it was just to go up the street!

You did the right thing x

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.

definitely would have walked.

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!

Would definitely have walked - you did the right thing. I can't believe anyone gave you grief for taking the safe option!

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)

I would have walked, you did the right thing babe.
Some people have no idea, it's illegal for a reason!


Sent from my iPhone, more than likely while I should be doing something else!

Yep, definitely did the right thing and NOT unreasonable.. I can't believe they would even try to talk you into it. :(

I prob would have walked too however, when all of us (well most of us) were 2 or 4 we would have travelled every day without a car seat and we have all survived.

FYI

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Wearing car seat belts has only been compulsory in Australia since the 1970s and this is when restraints for children began to come onto the market. Babies were either held in arms or travelled in a traditional bassinet that lay across the back seat, secured by the seatbelt with a protective net over the top. There was no really secure way to protect babies in a smash until the baby capsule was developed in 1984.

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