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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

not to give friend a lift

23 replies

gallifrey · 17/02/2011 12:52

Yesterday after school one of the other mums and her 2 children came round to play, her eldest is best friends with my daughter and her other little girl is 2.
We were downstairs chatting when I suddenly realised I had a doctors appointment 5 minutes later.
The doctors is near where they live so she asked me for a lift which I have no problem with but my car only has 4 seats and there were 5 of us.
I said as much and she told me her little daughter could sit on her lap in the front!
I said no, sorry so she started walking and I got my daughter in the car and drove off.

She made me feel really guilty for not giving them a lift, but it's bloody illegal and I certainly don't want to risk her childs life!

OP posts:

MadreInglese · 17/02/2011 12:54

YANBU

AMumInScotland · 17/02/2011 12:59

YANBU - as the driver you would be legally responsible for the child's safety. Even if the mother said "Oh I take full responsibility" that wouldn't cover you if a policeman stopped you, or worse if there was an accident.

verybored · 17/02/2011 13:03

YANBU! It amazes me there are still some people that think this is ok!

ImFab · 17/02/2011 13:03

YANBU.

I can't understand people who take risks with their child's safety or life.

katykoo · 17/02/2011 13:12

YANBU! Was she pissed off ? Cos she had no right to be, but I can understand you feeling guilty but all you have to think about is how guilty you'd feel if there had been an accident.

Original poster

gallifrey · 17/02/2011 13:38

She looked pissed off, and I can't help but feel a bit guilty.
If I had a car with 5 seats I would have happily given her a lift!

Maybe I should just buy a bigger car.....!

OP posts:

katykoo · 17/02/2011 15:36

Also pisses me off when people walk somewhere but don't want to walk back!

cheekeymonkey · 17/02/2011 15:54

In an accident her child would have been a missile that could have killed the child plus anyone else in the car! Are people really that stupid?

FabbyChic · 17/02/2011 16:03

Personally I would have let her sit in the back with the 2 year old on her lap with a belt across both of them.

Wasn't far was it?

monstermissy · 17/02/2011 16:11

I know a little girl whom is severly handicapped after a car accident whilst sitting on her mums lap in the front. Not worth the risk. YANBU

EauRouge · 17/02/2011 16:12

YANBU, I wouldn't have done it either. It wouldn't have been her that got in trouble if you got caught by the police so it's not her place to say "it's OK".

sparkle12mar08 · 17/02/2011 16:17

Fabbychic that's the worst possible solution!!! In the event of an accident the mother would crush the child to death in those circumstances. Don't ever recommend that to others or ever try it yourself, please!

Numberfour · 17/02/2011 16:21

YANBU at all. Don't waste time or effort feeling guilty because aside from the fact that you did not want to do so, it is in fact illegal. You had no choice.

MrSpoc · 17/02/2011 16:22

i didnt think that there were that many 4 seater cars anymore.

What car do you have?

truthisinthewine · 17/02/2011 16:25

Flabbychic. It is so dangerous to put a child in the same seatbelt as an adult. They would be crushed between the belt and the weight of the adult in an accident.

You definately did the right thing and I would have done exactly the same.

truthisinthewine · 17/02/2011 16:26

Even if you had a car with 5 seats presumably she didn't have a car seat for the 2 year old with her anyway.

Original poster

gallifrey · 17/02/2011 20:15

MrSpoc I have a Renault Twingo :)

OP posts:

Eglu · 17/02/2011 20:18

YANBU One of our cars is also four seats. We have a VW Lupo

mumbar · 17/02/2011 20:23

Mines 4 seats and is a Ford KA.

YANBU, I have been there done this, despite people saying there is 'room' for 3 small children in the back.......AND???

PeachyPossum · 17/02/2011 21:06

I have an Audi which is new & 4 seats. Yanbu, I would have done the same.

I second the never belt yourself and child in together, horrendous possibility's :(

mrsinkpen · 17/02/2011 23:02

YANBU this is not legal for a reason! you absolutely did the right thing and you are to be commended for it. Can't believe that some people are prepared to risk their children like that.

cheekeymonkey · 18/02/2011 13:58

Oh yes, it seems people really are that stupid?

janek · 18/02/2011 14:15

minis and the new fiat 500s only have 4 seats too.

and no, never, ever belt a child in with you in a seatbelt. you could crush them to death if there was just an emergency stop, let alone an actual collision.

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