to wonder if 'baby on board' signs make any diffference?

[misslinnet]

DH is very keen on us displaying a 'baby on board' sign in our rear window whenever we go out in the car with DS. He believes that drivers behind us will be much more considerate and not tailgate if they see this sign.

I think that most tailgaters don't understand why they're meant to be leaving a sensible stopping distance between them and the car in front, don't understand how their behaviour is potentially dangerous, and therefore I think that if a driver normally goes around tailgating the car in front, he's going to continue doing so whether or not there's a baby on board sign.

AIBU to think that these signs make no difference at all to other driver's behaviour?

Poor DH would be dreadfully upset at being labelled a twat when in fact he is just being all PFB and wants to wrap DS up in cotton wool so nothing can hurt him

I honestly had no idea that this was such as controversial subject!

MissLinnet neither did I.. Weird what bugs people.

Poor DH would be dreadfully upset at being labelled a twat when in fact he is just being all PFB and wants to wrap DS up in cotton wool so nothing can hurt him

the 2 are connected :-)

I am still thinking there is a huge market for michelin-man style cotton wool suits :)

Not been on MN long but I've seen this subject crop up a few times and I don't know why I open the thread, because all I learn is that I'm a twat.

For what It's worth I think Ben Elton is a twat, seeing as how he's been mentioned a couple of times, therefore anybody who thinks he's funny is a twat by association, so there [raspberry]

Ahh that's the first time I've got drawn into a good old mud slinging, twat calling thread, and I think I like it.

They are very useful for tailgaters because it suggests the driver is likely to be very easily distracted and subject to unexpected actions such as turning round to check baby is OK / replace dummy / show soothing expressions and consequently not watching the road ahead.

Or they encourage people to get too close just that they can read the witty sign in the back window

Of course they don't. Why would I be any less keen to have a collision and potentially injure or kill myself or my passengers, because the car I am planning to hit contains a child? I don't plan to have an accident. I actively drive so as to avoid one. Your baby, delightful as it is, is not more important to me than I am myself, or my children.

If someone is that easily distracted then tailgaters are the least of their worries and they shouldn't be driving.

misslinnet
You wear a badge saying 'baby on board' on your coat, they are small and have the London underground logo on them.

The way they are supposed to work is for people to be able to read it and give up their seats for you, without offending you if you just happen to be a bigger person or have a bigger tummy than other people.

I've no car at the moment, but when I do I will be getting one, because the way I see it, even if it stops one driver from hanging too close then it's worth it. And as for it making me look precious, I really couldn't give a flying fuck. If wanting to anything and everything to protect your kids in a car is precious then I'm happy to be precious. Maybe they wouldn't deter anyone at all, but there's nothing to lose by displaying one just in case.

I think these stickers are just bragging about your fertility. Can't stand them

To me it's code for "keep your distance, I'm a crap driver because I'm too busy chatting to little jimmy to concentrate". In my experience of the lane swerving, non indicating, sudden braking for no reason drivers with the lovely yellow warning signs in the back window anyway.

What a stupid thing to say. In that case I need one that says ' baby on board finally due to fertility treatment after multiple years of heartache and loss '. Going to need a bigger sticker.

You just dread seeing that sign in cars when you roll up at social events. baby Bore Alert.

whatme I am soooo not a baby bore. Bore, possibly but not about babies. DH is a terrible baby bore but he abhors baby on board signs so go figure :)

I agree with the poster who said they make you drive closer to the car infront so that you can read them!
I saw a good one the other day. It read "Go on then get past me small dick."
Made me chuckle.

"Queenofthetwats" - sorry, I didn't mean to be insensitive. Yes I appreciate many people struggle to have a child and I don't mean to diminish the heartache that goes with that.

I guess what I really mean is that (IMHO) "these stickers are just bragging that you have a child". I still don't see the point in them, but that's just my personal view

They're up there with "irrational, stupid things that annoy you even though you shouldn't even be giving it headspace" for me. Am I supposed to somehow change my (safe) driving behaviour because you have your kid in the car? I drive carefully because I have no desire to cause injury to anyone, adult or child. I do think "twat" when I see them.

I think 'twat' when I read a lot of these post sunny

I think it's just a way to get more money off new parents.

I see those sunshades in every car with young children now - I wouldn't have known where to buy one when mine were little! I think they are a hazard to visibility but I'm assured that they are essential pieces of kit

I can't believe people on here are calling people twats for having baby on board signs....really ???

My point exactly cherry

Pot calling kettle and all that..