Great. DD is getting a lift in a car with no rear seatbelts.

[SheWoreYellow]

She’s a big DD, 12, not a toddler, but even so. I shared the driving with her friend’s dad to an event.

She’s texted me to say there are no seatbelts. It’s an hour drive

She won’t be getting a lift with him again, but god, what a tool.

There’s no point me saying anything. I don’t know why I’m typing this really.

Are you able to collect her yourself? It's pretty shit (and illegal) that he would consider driving her like that, let alone without checking with you.

Why is there “no point saying anything”? I would tell her not to get in the car and organising a different way to get there.

She’s in the car on the way home.

Is she sure? Perhaps they are recessed. She should ask him or ask to sit in front with a belt.

Can she clarify, are there seat belts which are tucked away, in which case the driver could pull over and sort them out? Or no seat belt full stop because its some sort of old car?

Is she being dropped off? Have a strong word with the dad.

So I mean it’s too late to say anything.
DD only texted me as they’d driven off.

I could have asked him to leave her at a service station for an hour while I drive up to retrieve her, but that didn’t sound like a great option either tbh.

@RiaOverTheRainbow

Are you able to collect her yourself? It's pretty shit (and illegal) that he would consider driving her like that, let alone without checking with you.

It is not necessary illegal. If no seatbelts are fitted and they are above 3 they can sit in the back.

I am presuming it is a classic car.

I just texted her to ask. They said they are broken.

It's pretty shit (and illegal) that he would consider driving her like that

Not if it’s a classic. I’ve a classic sports car with no belts at all.

You're right that there isn't a lot you can do, and statistically she will be fine - I'd be really angry with the dad too though.

@SheWoreYellow

I just texted her to ask. They said they are broken.

All of them?! Text her to check that she's asked him about it, in case she just doesn't know how to work them and has assumed that they just don't work (which would be quite classic 12 year old)

I stand corrected (and shocked).

I’m presuming she has asked and that’s why she’s been told they are broken. Or that hers is broken anyway.

A classic car? I wouldn't be happy at all.

How confident is she? Could she say 'my mums text to say don't forget to put your seat belt on so I said they are broken. She wants to know if they are ALL broken because its not very safe. If we stop and wait for her she can come and get us.'

@MoiraNotRuby

How confident is she? Could she say 'my mums text to say don't forget to put your seat belt on so I said they are broken. She wants to know if they are ALL broken because its not very safe. If we stop and wait for her she can come and get us.'

Not that confident! But also I don’t want her left at services on her own.

That's awful OP. Can she not ask to sit in the front?

I think there's every chance she's too shy/embarrassed to have asked so I'd check. I'm guessing his DD is in the front?

That's outrageous.
I'm guessing if she switches seats someone else will be left without a seatbelt.

Do you know the parents of the other children? I'd let them all know for future safety.

What a complete knobhead.

Unless it's a classic car he is breaking the law, not to mention stupid to put a 12 year old in the seat with no seatbelt!

Not a classic car, something like this. Yes I’m guessing if she swaps then someone else would be without a seatbelt as there are two adults and three children.
I think the OH went along too. Not entirely sure.

Wow there are two adults in the car who think that's acceptable - not just one incompetent idiot?!

I also thought you meant a classic car, my dad has an Austin 7, it has no seatbelts or indicators. when she said they are broken does she mean both of the seatbelts in the back? but most cars have 3 seatbelts in the back, how did it pass an MOT?

If there's only one seat with no seatbelt and two adults clearly one of them should be in it, though I wouldn't have wanted to assert that when I was 12 so I can easily imagine your poor DD wouldn't either - they shouldn't have put her in that position in the first place.