WWYD - neighbour not strapping kids in

[SunnyL]

I've just followed my neighbour in the car from the school to his house. It's a short distance (literally out the housing estate and down main street) but raining so most people drove today. Anyway as I pulled up behind him I noticed there was a child standing on the back seat waving at me.

When we got home (he's 2 doors along) I saw none of his 3 children were strapped in.

It made me sick to my stomach but I didn't say anything. Now I feel even worse that I didn't say anything. DH says I should steer clear to maintain decent neighbourly relations.

The man is a copy though. Surely if anyone knows the damage that happens to children in car crashes it's him.

Should I go round? Should I say something to him or his wife? Should I keep quiet.

I'm really conflicted.

[Trifleorbust]

He must know the risk he is taking. I can't see how talking to him is going to help tbh.

[JosephineMaynard]

You could make a note of his number plate and call the police if you see him doing it again.

[SortAllTheThings]

I've seen my neighbour doing similar. I've also seen her on her phone while driving to school. If I see do it again I'll report her.

[baconandeggies]

Don't wait to see if it happens again - it happened once and that was enough. It doesn't matter who he is - report him anonymously to 101 - some areas have an online form.

I doubt going round there in person to inform him of his error will do any good - any idiot knows this is illegal - he thinks he's above the law.

Did you mean that he's a copper? Even more reason to report.

[AgnesNitt1976]

I would report to the police but nothing they can do unless the catch him in the act.

[baconandeggies]

Unless he has a classic car (no seatbelts originally fitted) and the kids are over 3

[MrsHathaway]

I asked a similar question a few years ago on here and got absolutely battered. Apparently it's none of our business.

Do you talk to him ever? Any possibility of starting a cheerful "noticed your Jimmy standing up and waving at me from the car this morning - children are such sods when they refuse their seat belts, eh? I just stop the car nowadays until they're clicked again" conversation?

[rumbelina]

He's probably in the mindset of 'oh it's only round the corner' but (and you can tell him this!) I was hit by a speeding drunk driver round the corner from my house. I was lucky to get out with cuts and bruises and needing a bit of physio. After the bruises the seatbelt gave me I don't like to think what state I'd have been in had I not worn one.

He should know it's not just about not breaking the law - even if it wasn't the law what is he thinking??

[Goingtobeawesome]

Hmm, maintain relations or save a life...

[Manumission]

He did school drop off and still had three DC with him on his return?

How many does he have?

[AgnesNitt1976]

zzzzz Seat belts didn't feature heavily in my early childhood either, however, I have made sure that they feature in my childs life.

[PlumsGalore]

I assume you mean a copper, rather than a copy?

If so, then yes - he is bang out of order. He is bang out of order anyway, but you should stop him and give him a fixed penalty!

[CoolCarrie]

The op said she was behind him coming back from school, not going to school. Please report him, doesn't matter who he is or what he does for a living! Many people have the mind set " oh it's only up the road" but it doesn't matter how short the journey is, as pp pointed out. He should be bloody ashamed of himself.

[claraschu]

zzzzz thanks for saying that. I always make my kids buckle up, but I really can't get too worried about someone driving a short distance on a quiet road without a seatbelt. Of course there is always a chance of a catastrophe, but this is not high on my list of things to worry about.

[SunnyL]

Yes sorry I meant he is a cop not a copy. He'd picked his 3 up from school and the school nursery and taken them home.

I've filled in a crimestoppers form and reported him. Has anyone had any experience of this and whether anything happens?

I didn't want to call in case they traced my number

[Goingtobeawesome]

I'm sure the local woman didn't have it top of her list of things to "worry about" or thought it was a "risk" when she allowed one of her three year olds to sit in the footwell as she went to the local shop. This Christmas there will be one less child to buy for .

[YoHoHoandabottleofTequila]

A friend of mine got hit by a speeding car just after she came off her driveway.

I'm sure she didn't think it would happen either. Luckily her and her DC (they were strapped in) are ok.

[Manumission]

Which country are you in?

[Manumission]

UK crimestoppers?

You'd just got back from seeing him on the UK school pick up at 11.56? That can't be right.

We need to know which country's Crimestoppers you want our experiences of OP.

[YoHoHoandabottleofTequila]

I'm a nurse and have looked after hundreds of children injured in car accidents. Anyone that doesn't strap their child in is just plain stupid. Go and visit the child I cared for who is now paralysed and maybe they'll change their mind.

[liz70]

Print this out and stick it on the pillock's windscreen.

[MatchyMatcha]

I'm old too, and my parents were the only ones I knew who had a rear seat and seatbelt for kids. I was so utterly mortified by this as a kid, but you know, they wanted to make sure I was OK to the best of their ability.
One of my friends died in a car accident after not wearing a seatbelt, and although I have always worn them, I'd not be afraid of being vocal about an adult not wearing one, let alone a child.