Earlier this week I was shocked at witnessing careless behaviour from a young parent. I witnessed a lady driving in BMW X5 with her small boy standing on her lap between her and the steering wheel of the car. This was close to home and even though she took the corner slowly, I remember an accident where the vehicle of a friend was written off at the exact same spot in a rear-end collision less than 2 years ago!
Too often do we find that these drivers tell themselves that they will drive slow and be very cautious – forgetting that their safety do not only depend on their own driving. What would have happened to this kid in the event of a rear-end collision or a drunk driver skipping the stop street?!
The Arrive Alive website tells us why we need seatbelts and child restraints:
Seat-belts and child restraints:
• reduce the risk of contact with the interior of the vehicle or reduce the severity of injuries if this occurs;
• distribute the forces of a crash over the strongest parts of the human body;
• prevent the occupant from being ejected from the vehicle in an impact;
• prevent injury to other occupants (for example in a frontal crash, unbelted rear-seated passengers can be catapulted forward and hit other occupants).
I know that sometimes people might have one baby seat and the baby seat might have been in another vehicle – but if you drive such a luxury vehicle – you can afford 2 baby seats!
Rather have a kid crying at the back of the vehicle restrained in a baby seat than a family crying next to an open grave…
View the Arrive Alive website for info on:
• Child Restraints and Road Safety
[The photo next to this blog was “posed” and taken in a stationary vehicle]
3 Comments Received
May 22nd, 2009 @10:27 am
I see this almost on a daily basis. It angers and saddens me! Parents forget that they and everyone else around them are operating powerful one ton (and more) machines. It is arrogant to think that you are really in control. Anything can happen. It is as Jonckie said… Rather have a kid crying at the back of the vehicle restrained in a baby seat than a family crying next to an open grave… Wake up parents!!! Before it is too late!
May 22nd, 2009 @11:13 am
This is the one thing that totally gets my blood boiling. how can any parent who loves their child do this? I really think there should be a national campaign showing photos of what happens to unrestrained kids in car accidents – i saw a presentation at Red Cross many years ago and have never forgotten those photographs. My son has had to stay home from school expeditions when there were not enough cars with belts to go around, i won’t compromise on this with him unless there rally is no other option.
And unrestrained babies on driver’s laps? it’s evil.
May 22nd, 2009 @11:32 am
I agree…Parents pray at night for the safety of their kids and yet they drive with these kids without child restraints in the vehicles…makes no sense…
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