To not quite understand why children are allowed on laps in taxis

[Discopanda]

Apparently there was a thread on here recently about mums taking their kids to the doctors in a taxi without a car seat. I've had a similar experience before when I've ordered a taxi to pick up older kids that I've been babysitting, requested a car seat for DD and it's turned up without one. Surely a taxi is just as likely to have a car crash as any other car? It wouldn't cost that much for taxi stations to keep a couple of seats in case they are requested.

Don't forget that not all parents drive and therefore might not have car seats! We have an infant seat for the new baby but other than that my dc's use their cousins passed-down (perfect condition, no accidents etc) seats when we (very occasionally) go in mil/dil's cars. The seats stay in the cars and I can't get to them on a day to day basis. We use taxis, making sure dd (6) and ds (3) are both strapped in and sitting sensibly. Changing the law is just going to isolate people.

Ah, but according to mumsnet Loopy, non drivers must have top of the range extended rear facing brand new model car seats available at all times. With extra fitting instructions and tether straps etc just in case! Don't you LOVE your children?!??!

yanbu at all, I have had to travel with little ones by taxi and no car seat. It would be impracticle for me to lug 2 car seats which are quite heavy and bulky about with me, as a non driver, and push a buggy. I think that taxi firms should have them at base, if a customer requests a taxi with car seats they should be provided. Rather like disabled customers requesting a wheelchair taxi.

I know taxi are just as likely to be in an accident, but a taxi journey is considered a one off journey.

It's impractical. It's not even as simple as storing 3 seats somewhere as strap heights would need changing, someone would have to be responsible for fitting it etc.

It's not ideal but unless you provide your own seat then it's the only practical way

I've travelled once in a taxi with 6 month old. Wore him in the sling and put the seat belt round us both. It was a journey through town so going no faster than 30. That seemed like a reasonable risk to take. I'd be less happy going down A roads or motorways at speed.

Lol Bertie unfortunately we're not in the position to buy fancy seats (second hand is 100%better than nothing at all) so nope, we don't love our kids at all

Owlina - it's more dangerous to put the seat belt around both of you as in a crash your weight would crush the baby.

littlejohnny - so how exactly would you carry an infant seat, a group 1 seat, two children, a pushchair and bags around with you?

I very much doubt you would choose not to take a sick baby to hospital rather than take a taxi.

btw what are these taxi bases people keep going on about ? taxis are not like buses that have a large depo where they are stored while not in use the vast majorty of taxis are owned by the driver and normally go home with them when they clock off (the only expection is black cab taxi companies that normally do have a depo but these are not the norm for companies outside london)

The vast majority of taxis companies I know have a very very small office that deals with incoming calls and directing the companies drivers and thats it (I once worked as a dispatcher for a large taxi company in manchester)

Owlina that is an incredibly dangerous way to travel. A sling will not restrain your baby in a crash, and if you had crashed, having you both inside the seatbelt would have resulted in you crushing your LO.

Thankfully all was well, but I would hate for someone to read this and think "oh good idea Ill do that next time"

littlejohhny I don't carry a car seat on long haul flights because I may have 2 or 3 transfers in 24-36 hours of total travel, potentially 2 or 3 (rarely) different airlines, each with their own regulations on car seats as carry-on. Always risking some cranky staff member insisting it be checked in the hold (may as well throw it in the bin after that). Then get to a new continent where the safety standards are different, the fittings are different, I have a toddler, jet lag and luggage then have to arrange transport from the airport in either a train (no belts), a bus (no belts) or a taxi with belts but no idea how to set up the car seat that I now despise.

Oh and when i'my really lucky it's 5 am and I don't speak the language or have local currency. At that point i'd jump on the back of a motorbike with 3 other people and a goat. Correct car seats are the least of my concerns!

I understand the general concern, really I do. But sometimes circumstances change the balance of risks and if it were illegal to carry a child in a cab without the right car seat it would result in a lot of stranded families.