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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To change my mind about getting a car sign?

68 replies

Zillcat · 22/02/2018 20:28

Posting for traffic.

I have always, always, hated the cars with "baby on board" signs. I figured that it shouldn't matter if someone has a baby in their car, everyone should be driving carefully anyway
That and I am particularly annoyed with people like my neighbours who have a 'grandson on board' sign, even though I have never seen their grandson go out in their car.

However despite my hatred, I now have twin boys and have done my first solo trip out with them both in the car. My first thoughts are that if I'm in an accident and I am incapacitated, it may not be obvious of my precious cargo in The back due to having tinted windows.
AIBU to get a sign or would it make no difference?

OP posts:
checkingforballoons · 22/02/2018 20:29

I thought those signs were to alert emergency services tonne honest, rather than to encourage careful driving.

checkingforballoons · 22/02/2018 20:30

To be rather than tonne!

TestingTestingWonTooFree · 22/02/2018 20:30

I would think the car seats should be sufficient, assuming you’re not putting the babies in the boot.

dementedpixie · 22/02/2018 20:31

I honestly think it would make no difference

LetsGoFlyAKiteee · 22/02/2018 20:31

Surely they'd check the whole car anyway rather then assume the back was empty because there wasn't a sign

Littlechocola · 22/02/2018 20:32

I’m sure emergency services would check the wreckage for a baby on board sign.

specialsubject · 22/02/2018 20:33

Removing the window tint would be a way to improve safety for you and everyone else. Car seats will tell the emergency services there are kids there.

The sign only serves to indicate 'driver might be distracted by screaming'.

Nicknacky · 22/02/2018 20:33

Tinted windows won't stop the emergency services checking a vehicle thoroughly for other passengers.

Perendinate · 22/02/2018 20:33

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Redglitter · 22/02/2018 20:33

If you're in an accident believe me the emergency services aren't going to trot to the back of your car looking for a Baby on Board sign.

If you're so badly injured that you can't speak then the paramedics etc are hardly going to be dealing with you in the front and not spot babies in the back

They'll make absolutely no difference in an accident

RavenLG · 22/02/2018 20:34

Use them as they should be used, i.e. take them down every time the children are not in the car, no problem.

Cakeorchocolate · 22/02/2018 20:34

Emergency services won't look for a sign, they'd do a proper car search in the even of an incident.
I'd hope randoms that might help in the same situation would too but wouldn't hurt.

Have to say though, my windows have a heavy tint and the sign I have can't be seen through them anyway. (I was given as a gift, wouldnt have thought to purchase it)

Sirzy · 22/02/2018 20:36

Unless you take the sign out anytime your not driving with them in the car then it’s very pointless surely?

GaspingGekko · 22/02/2018 20:37

Yeah those signs were apparently made to alert the emergency services to look for babies in the days before big baby car seats. There's no need for them these days - plus they're made irrelevant by people not taking them out when there are no babies in the car.
Not sure if people think others drive better around you if you have one? Pretty sure they don't. Or if they're to warn other drivers that you might not be concentrating (as one friend told me Shock ).
But either way you really don't NEED one.

JonnaSilvie · 22/02/2018 20:37

If you're in an accident so catastrophic that the emergency services don't see two car seats as an indicator that there are babies in the vehicle, how are you hoping that they will see a tiny, papery sign??

BreakfastAtSquiffanys · 22/02/2018 20:41

Signs stuck to windows which may impede your visibility when driving are not a good idea.
Emergency services do not decide to search or otherwise based on these signs. Just as well as they are frequently seen on cars with no babies on board.

WashingMatilda · 22/02/2018 20:41

I'm a response traffic cop and I honestly have no idea where this myth came from...

CapnHaddock · 22/02/2018 20:42

It's bullshit that they were made for emergency services - check on snopes (I can't be arsed). They're a marketing gimmick.

Having twins makes you no more special than any other spud that blocks their rear vision with one

Allthewaves · 22/02/2018 20:44

Signs are twee and beyond twee

BookHelpPlease · 22/02/2018 20:44

IF the windows are tinted so much that people can't see your babies then they are illegal.

Your tinted window are the safety issue here.

PattiStanger · 22/02/2018 20:45

Of course the signs weren't made for times before car seats were used, that's nonsense as is the fact that they are to alert the emergency services, I think other posters have pointed out why that doesn't make sense.

Is there anyone who alters their driving if they see a sign? I very much doubt it

PurpleDaisies · 22/02/2018 20:45

They’re totally pointless.

TheRebel · 22/02/2018 20:47

I thought they were to alert other drivers in car parks that they need to leave room for you to open your passenger doors and boot, that’s why I have one.

Sarsparella · 22/02/2018 20:48

Emergency services don’t check for signs, that’s a complete myth & the signs are pointless and irritating

PurpleDaisies · 22/02/2018 20:48

Do you think people actually pay attention to them rebel? I certainly don’t.

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