To ponder the logic of "Baby on board" signs in cars?

[undercoverelephant]

Genuinely don't know what they are for...they didn't cover it in parenting class!

Anyone?

[PeedOffWithNits]

they were SUPPOSED, IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT , TO ALERT EMERGENCY SERVICES TO THE BABY/CHILD - THEY WERE SUPPOSED TO BE REMOVED WHEN CHILD NOT TRAVELLING, LIKE WITH L PLATES

[southeastastra]

i suppose so you don't drive right up their arse, if you're that way inclined.

[PeedOffWithNits]

whoops, sorry about the caps!

[Tidey]

If someone is intent upon driving like a dickhead, a few 'Princess on board' signs are not going to deter them. POWN's explanation makes sense but they seem now to be more of a proclamation of fertility.

[EleanoraBuntingCupcake]

that is a myth peed, anyway no one bothers to put it up or down so it is a red herring in many cases.

i saw a 'dog on board' sign yesterday. like i care what you have on board just stop driving like a cunt.

[undercoverelephant]

Hmmm. Surely a crap insensitive driver doesn't care whether you have kids in car or not?
Interesting though.

[southeastastra]

oh just noticed your name! where's morocco mole

[ihatemyjob]

I used to think they were ridiculous but then a friend said she got one to alert other drivers that she was sleep deprived with a possible screaming baby and may not be the best driver in the world. I still didn't get one, it always seemed like showing off to me.

[gorionine]

I always thought it was to make people aware that if you are not driving a 100miles an hour on a tiny winding road it is not to piss them off but because you have reasons to drive sensibly! I suppose POWN's explanation is the right one though!

[ArcticLemming]

But if an accident is so severe that you can't instantly see a child's car seat, I very much doubt a little sign stuck on with a bit of spit will survive intact.

[undercoverelephant]

Tidey, that's been my instinct - they are just a way of telling people you have a baby. Especially those prince/princess on board ones.
But then wondered if I was missing some grave, serious point.
I guess the accident thing sorta makes sense.

[GrungeBlobPrimpants]

They are there to make £££ for the baby on board sign manufacturers

They have the same status and use as fluffy dice. I prefer fluffy dice, myself

[MonkeyPoo]

Can't see the point myself. Are they magic? Do they prevent the laws of physics from working? If someone's about to slam into your car, a little sticker ain't going to do a thing!

Also, IMO, alot of people with said stickers are the ones driving like twats not very well!

[Homebird8]

They're obviously there to cause accidents. After all they do block up half the rear windscreen.

This is one "not on your life" product IMO.

[Geocentric]

Lots of people have them here (Brazil) - apparently urban myth says they steer potential thugs away from your car as they would rather rob anyone else instead of a frazzled mum with a car full of kids... Although I would have thought that the car seats were enough of a giveaway!!!

[oldraver]

I dont have the sign as such but a duck in a sling on the side window mostly for DS to look at. I was sort of hoping that it may say 'if your twattish enough to park so close, dont be surprised if I bash your door attempting to get DC out (My DB always said he wouldn't park next to someone with a child seat in the car a spaces were so tight it was hard not to dent car doors

[WidowWadman]

They're there so that other road users can easily identify idiots.

[bamboobutton]

elanora it's not a myth. dad is a fireman and they are supposed to alert the emergency servies so they don't rush all the adults off to hospital and leave a child behind that could've been thrown clear of the vehicle.

[PrettyCandles]

Not a myht. Perfectly true. Emrgency services never liked the signs even when they first came out, they have to ignore them and check the car whether they see a sign or not, precisely because people don't bother to remove them.

They're a bit pimp-my-car IMO!

[MonkeyPoo]

Widow - pmsl, too true!

[WidowWadman]

bamboobutton, so would they keep searching for phantom children when there's a sign in the car and possibly a car seat?

Nobody ever removes them when the kids are not travelling in the car.

[CokeFan]

We have one (a plain, boring yellow and black one). We were persuaded by MIL's theory that they're to tell emergency services that they might need to look for a baby in the event of a really serious accident. We never take it out of the car but DD's in the car on most journeys.

Personally I wouldn't go for one of the pink "princess" type ones though.

[Itsjustafleshwound]

Dh has put a small SA flag on the back of our car - it doesn't impede our view and excuses my bad driving!

[undercoverelephant]

I saw "mum-to-be on board" the other day... I doubt anyone could miss a pregnant woman.

[craftynclothy]

They're yet more plastic for grandparents to buy and dump on us