Should I say something?

[Willow82]

A while back I posted about my neighbours but one who I saw driving on to our road with their 1 year old sat on his mum's knee.

Today I've seen them get into the car, again with the little boy on his mum's knee and drive off.

I don't know if I should say something. I don't know them and I really don't feel comfortable approaching them about it but if they are in an accident, then the little boy is at risk. I was thinking about ringing the health visitor for the area so they can have a word or am I interfering? I really don't know what to do.

 

[laughingduck]

I'd talk to them before calling someone. They may (hopefully) just be driving down a block or so and not think much of it (not that it makes it ok). If they continue after you've spoken with them, call it in. If you're uncomfortable speaking directly, you could leave an anonymous note too...

 

[Crosby]

In UK its allowed to take short or emergency journeys without the car seat, as long as the child is not on their own.

https://www.gov.uk/child-car-seats-the-rules/when-a-child-can-travel-without-a-car-seat

 

[minties]

I've called the police for the same/similar behaviour and report the license plate of the car.

 

[Crosby]

I would just hasten to add that I am not encouraging such behaviour, it sickens me that someone could deliberatly endanger their child.

However you dont really know what the reasons behind such behaviour, if I was you I would definitely mention something to them, or post an anonymous note thru their door like someone suggested. They might get scared to be grassed to authorities and may start taking proper care and attention to the little one

 

[loeylo]

Id like to think id say something, but in reality I would more likely call the police.

 

[Willow82]

In UK its allowed to take short or emergency journeys without the car seat, as long as the child is not on their own.

https://www.gov.uk/child-car-seats-the-rules/when-a-child-can-travel-without-a-car-seat

I didn't know about this. However, from looking at the page, they would still be acting illegally due to child being under 3 and being sat at the front.

I guess it's possible that it's such a short journey, they don't think a car seat is worth the hassle. Still incredibly risky though.

When I go out later, I might try and see if they've got a car seat installed in their car.

 

[Bekah78]

You can report it to the police anonymously. They'd just go around and have a quiet word with them to start with. That should be enough to make them think twice in future, especially if they are told they're acting on a tip off. They won't know who's watching....

I'd personally be worried about something bad happening knowing I could have done something to prevent it. So many collisions happen within a few miles from home, add in the distraction of a child in the car who isn't properly restrained and it's a recipe for disaster.

Think you can call 101 or crime stoppers to report it. Not sure which is anonymous line but should be easy to find online.

 

[Left wonderin]

I would contact the police to see if they could call up and issue a warning and say they were seen by someone and reported to them . You never know might just save that child's life !

 

[2have4kids]

Follow your gut instincts. You cared enough to post here, care enough to do something for that little boy. I'd contact the police first or if you have child protective services in your neighbourhood, and I'd do it anonymously. If I were driving in my car with child in the front, car seat in the back or not, I'd fully exect to either be pulled over or reported. Too many of us turn a blind eye to these things and that's how children & animals get hurt. You'll feel a sigh of relief the next time they go out and he's strapped in properly!

 

[crownest]

They must know it's dangerous so I really doubt approaching them is going to do anything except get their back up and perhaps cause trouble for you. I'd report them especially when you see them leaving home like that.

 

[ElmaWG]

They must know it's dangerous so I really doubt approaching them is going to do anything except get their back up and perhaps cause trouble for you. I'd report them especially when you see them leaving home like that.

Just to play devil's advocate, in some countries babies do sit on mothers (or grandmother's) laps and it's considered safe. In the US on busses this is perfectly acceptable.

I had organized a carpool to an event a while back, and a mother (I believe she was from Egypt) arrived without a car seat for her 2yo son, and I had to turn her away since we couldn't let her ride with him on her lap, obvious liability issues. She was genuinely surprised, since, not having a car, she had sat him on her lap on busses the entire time she was in the US.

I do realize this is likely different from the situation you've described, but I double the mother in this situation believes she is putting her baby in danger. In your situation, I would politely discuss it with your neighbor in person before any sort of anonymous reporting. Do you know her? If not this would be a good opportunity to meet a neighbor.

 

[wish4baby]

I don't think you should call anyone before talking to them. Maybe you could even print out an article or something about car seat safety laws, etc. I know you are worried about the safety of the child, but getting CPS or whoever involved could possibly end up being more traumatizing & hurtful to the child than what you saw...there could more to the story that makes sense (not that I can think of anything off the top of my head, but never know!)
Just my 2 cents!!

 

[Left wonderin]

Wish 4 why would cps getting involved be hurtful for the baby ? Baby would not even know . They would just come have a chat / quiet word in the ear of mum and dad and advise on car safety