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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

WIBU to report this to 101?

25 replies

ShutTheFuckUpBarbara · 19/12/2013 20:27

Earlier today, I was sitting in the car in a car park waiting for a colleague.

2 men and a little boy (about 3yo I would think) got into the car next to me; the little boy was sitting on one of the men's lap in the front passenger seat Shock No car seat, no seat belt, nothing.

They drove off, leaving me totally gobsmacked.

I quickly made a note of the reg and called 101. When I told my colleagues about this, they seemed to think that I was a meddling busybody!

Afaiac, the child was in danger and the police needed to be made aware.

So what does the MN jury think? WIBU?

OP posts:
Tinks42 · 19/12/2013 20:39

well it was a dangerous thing to do of course but calling 101 was a bit strong really.

oodyboodyboocs · 19/12/2013 20:42

I think you totally did the right thing. Kids with adults who do daft things like that need someone to protect them. Hopefully the police will look up where the driver lives and pop round to have a word.

StayAwayFromDeliriumDive · 19/12/2013 20:43

I don't think they will do anything to be honest. It is something I see regularly in the town I live in and the Police don't seem to do anything about it.

Original poster
ShutTheFuckUpBarbara · 19/12/2013 20:47

I did wonder whether they would take it seriously or not, but I thought if I don't report it then they definitely won't do anything so it is worth a shot.

I was disappointed with my colleagues' reaction though.

OP posts:
Slainte · 19/12/2013 20:49

YANBU you absolutely did the right thing, good for you.

Dogonabeanbag · 19/12/2013 20:50

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Gruntfuttock · 19/12/2013 20:52

YANBU. I think you definitely did the right thing too. It's sad that you cared more for the child's safety than either of the two people with him.

LittleMissGerardButlersBaubles · 19/12/2013 20:53

I don't blame you for reporting it, it really annoys me when I see this.

technodad · 19/12/2013 21:09

Good for you. That child doesn't get to choose who it travels with and needs protection from thoughtless idiots.

You are completely correct!

sykadelic15 · 20/12/2013 01:04

I think you did the right thing. You never know if your tip could be just one in a line of bad behaviour and you're saving the kid from a bad situation.

Totally right thing.

Tulip26 · 20/12/2013 01:22

He's probably uninsured too. One thing often leads to another - if you've ever watched Emergency Bikers or any real-life cop show it's never just one small thing. You did right!

singaporefling · 20/12/2013 02:23

I think you were right!

kreecherlivesupstairs · 20/12/2013 05:07

I think you were right too if that makes any difference.
OTOH, I hope your 101'ers are better than ours. I saw a husky type dog (I thought it was a wolf Blush) running around on a pretty major road at 05.45 the other morning. I almost ran it over, then it dodged a bus and a couple of other cars.
I thought about 999 then decided it wasn't a proper blue light emergency. I called 101 and they couldn't have been less interested.

Tableforfour · 20/12/2013 06:12

I've twice called 999 about tiny babies loose in moving cars. It would only take a small prang for the baby to be through the windscreen. Both times the police took it seriously.

Original poster
ShutTheFuckUpBarbara · 20/12/2013 06:50

I am glad no one here thinks I am a busybody :)

I hope the police act on it now.

OP posts:
ballstoit · 20/12/2013 07:04

YANBU. Friend's DH did this with her DD sitting on his mother's knee.

Someone must have reported as a Community Support Officer came round to offer him car safety advice. He has also been pulled over for a spot check a couple of times since it happened, but don't know if that is linked.

DBil was also pulled over with 2 of my DNs in the front of his van without car seats, and no seatbelts Shock . He received a hefty fine and a bollocking from my dm

OohBridget · 20/12/2013 07:19

I called you 101 after seeing a child sat on someone's lap in the back of a car on the motorway- weaving in and out of traffic. child was between 6-12 mo. I am horrified people do this!

Theodorous · 20/12/2013 08:09

Meanwhile in the world....

Rumplestiltskinismyname · 20/12/2013 08:17

Don't worry about your colleagues- some people fail to think about the consequences... They just think you're being unfair to the driver and don't think about the serious risks to the small child. If I were in a collision with a car where the child wasn't properly strapped in- and the child was seriously hurt or killed as a result- I as the other driver would be scarred for life, especially if by being strapped in the fatality could have been avoided. All round you did the right thing.

Trills · 20/12/2013 08:20

Not unreasonable.

If the police don't think it's worth their time, that's up to them.

If they choose to go and give the people a talking-to, good.

Mummytotwox · 20/12/2013 08:22

You sure it wasn't a taxi.?

DontmindifIdo · 20/12/2013 08:26

You did the right thing. Car seats weren't invented as a way to get money off parents, they were invented because children died in car accidents that wouldn't kill them if strapped into a seat.

Killinascullion · 20/12/2013 08:32

Even in a taxi, the passenger is required to wear a seat belt.

Agree, YANBU.

It's shocking that despite so many road safety awareness campaigns, some people still take ridiculous risks.

Our road safety record in the UK is very good in comparison to other EU countries for obvious reasons.

Original poster
ShutTheFuckUpBarbara · 20/12/2013 11:37

It definitely wasn't a taxi. But even then surely it would have been illegal?

OP posts:
AlwaysDancing1234 · 20/12/2013 12:44

I think you did the right thing. Calling 999 and getting a helicopter would have been unreasonable but calling 101 was appropriate I think.

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