to think that some people just don't care about their child's safety

[keepingupwiththejoneses]

I was at my local Tesco express today, when a woman came out with her daughter, who was no older than 2.5 I would say, she was calling her mummy so defiantly was. Both where kitted out in designer clothes, not chavvy but well dressed, and walked towards an 09 Chrysler MPV, so obviously had a few bob. The woman opened the back door picked her daughter up and put her in the car and closed the door, NO seat belt and NO car-seat or booster.
I was totally shocked, you can buy a seat suitable for that age child for about £30 in Argos.
AIBU to think that she is on another planet as far as her daughters safety is concerned, not to mention the law. Saying that she probably wouldn't get caught as you couldn't see through the tinted windows.

For what it's worth, people have asked how I could cycle on busy urban roads with a child in a child seat. I'm an experienced cyclist and trained in "vehicular cycling" as part of some voluntary work I do. I feel quite safe, though a collision would be a problem if it happened.

In the future my town hopes to develop more cycle lanes which will remove the need to cycle on road for the journeys I do with my child. Local protests from people who don't like change, and I expect now money, would delay that.

We live in a world where parents have been "reported" for allowing children to walk along a main road pavement, so it is an interesting question. It is illegal to carry a child in a car without a proper seat, but it is not illegal to cycle with a child on a busy road. If the general consensus, or a vocal consensus, is that cycling is dangerous does that then risk the same scrutiny?

if it was as you think, it is illegal, so why not take her car reg and phone the police if you were so concerned? you can do so anonymously if need be. if you really care, act!

Tinted windows in the car, possibly another adult waiting in the car who fastened the seat belt, perhaps the 2.5 year old fastened her own belt if she was in a HBB ? I don't think that you can be absolutely certain of the facts but of course if she DID drive off with an unrestrained child in the car, she is a bloody idiot.

ADadInDisguise I don't know why carrying a child on a bike doesn't have the same scrutiny. I admit I wince and feel a bit sick everytime I see someone carrying a child on the back of their bike.
I'm sure you are an excellent and experienced cyclist but it's the other idiots on the road that I worry about and the consequences of a collision are too horrible to contemplate.

No one answered my question?

That's what I thought, Madam, I kept wondering if I hadn't read carefully enough. The whole thread and all its outrage seems to be predicated on an event (driving without child strapped in properly) that we have no evidence even happened!!

someone could have written this about me...

in a busy tesco carpark ds climbs in has a snack, and gnerally jumps about the back seat while I pack the shopping and take the trolley back, make sure i havent forgotten what I came for etc

I think its the safest place for him

then its in his seat and strapped in before we move

Ragged Sorry I didn't answer you question, Yes she drove away within seconds didn't put her own seatbelt on either.
I agree that if you are putting shopping away then the safest places for a dc is inside the car, but this was not the case.