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AIBU?

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Original poster

If you need this on the back of your car you shouldn’t be driving?

186 replies

escapingtothecountry · 08/05/2019 11:46

Just that really.I saw it on a car last week (dash cam picture, before someone asks) Am I required to be patient when your reactions are so slow that you can’t break fast enough and hit my car, or worse my child?

If you need this on the back of your car you shouldn’t be driving?
OP posts:
FunkyKingston · 08/05/2019 13:43

Worse than "Powered by Pixie Dust"?

I find this offensive. I have coverted my Pink Fiat 500 to run on pixie dust. The MPG is impressive but it is a bugger to get from the major petrol stations.

clairemcnam · 08/05/2019 13:43

Parents with young kids in a car are at a much higher risk of an accident than elderly people. Very very easy to get distracted by crying, screaming or shouting kids, or kids trying to get out of their car seat. The worst driving I have ever seen was a friend whose baby used to scream in the car seat in the car.

GreytExpectations · 08/05/2019 13:48

Wow, clearly there is some misdirected anger on this board about baby signs. I'll head off and leave you all to it...

floraloctopus · 08/05/2019 13:51

I'd hope the police would stop them and explain why the sign shouldn't be there.

I was driving behind somebody in a 3 wheeler (didn't know they still existed) on a dual carriageway the other day. 20mph. Thankfully I was coming off at the next exit.

GabsAlot · 08/05/2019 13:52

if u cant drive with distractions going on you shouldnt be driving

for pp who says its hard driving with kids

clairemcnam · 08/05/2019 13:53

gabsalot Except the stats show that parents of young kids have more accidents. So you can say that all you want, plenty of people do.

Kennehora · 08/05/2019 13:59

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Buster72 · 08/05/2019 14:03

You can block as much of the rear view window as you like, think of the transit van that has no rear view window at all.

Damntheman · 08/05/2019 14:03

Asking for consideration from other road users is in no way implying that a driver is not capable. My mother is 75 and still a very capable driver, there's no need to categorise every elderly driver as shit. Some of them are more capable than your average 20 year old on the road.

dogsdinnerlady · 08/05/2019 14:11

Trouble with these signs is you have to get really close behind the other car to read them. Bump hazard.

Lemonyfuckit · 08/05/2019 14:32

At the risk of playing devil's advocate, I have a little bit of sympathy with the OP. No, there's nothing wrong with a bit of patience and consideration for everyone else - there should definitely be more of that, and I don't disagree with the sign in itself. I do think perhaps past a certain age one should be required to take some sort of test to check you're still capable and safe. I've witnessed so many very elderly drivers driving at dangerously slow speeds - we overtook someone recently who had an elderly driver sign in the back (we 'sped' past at all of 30 miles an hour) because he was driving at 12mph on a national speed limit road - and he actually shook his fists at us! If his reactions are so slow that he can only 'safely' drive at 12mph I would argue he is not safe to be on the road, and no, there's absolutely nothing wrong with driving at 40 or 45 in a 50 zone - I'm not an overly fast driver myself, but driving so significantly below the speed limit could be dangerous if someone comes round a bend or over a hill at a perfectly reasonable speed and straight into the back of you as they're not expecting someone to be going quite so slowly.

McT123 · 08/05/2019 14:32

@clairemcnam Except the stats show that parents of young kids have more accidents. So you can say that all you want, plenty of people do.
Which stats are these? Can you share?

pikapikachu · 08/05/2019 15:19

There really should be a campaign telling people to put their satnavs and stupid novelty signs in the corner on the windscreen. Very stupid place to stick it. Emergency services obviously wouldn't rely on a novelty sign and would search for passengers above car seat size as well as pets in the car as they are professionals. People drive with an empty car seat and don't take down the signs when their child aren't in the car. A sign could easily be dislodged anyway.

We seem to live in a society with groups jostling for superiority against other groups. Whether you're elderly or a sleep deprived mother, everybody deserves consideration.

pikapikachu · 08/05/2019 15:21

Lemonyfuckit- I think that drivers should at least have an eye test every 5-10 years. Most countries require periodic renewing of driving licenses.

MadAboutWands · 08/05/2019 16:21

I’m trying to picture my 75yo parents with that sign at the back.
Can’t.
They would balking at the idea that they are elderly closely followed by the fact they dint need any preferential treatment - either you are safe to drive or you are not.

Tbh, seeing that you would need to be VERY close to said car to read the sign, what’s the point? Confused

NunoGoncalves · 08/05/2019 16:32

Tbh, seeing that you would need to be VERY close to said car to read the sign, what’s the point?

You can easily read them when in a line of traffic, or when tailgating. Both of which seem like sensible times to remind people to be patient, to be honest.

CordeliaWyndamPryce · 08/05/2019 16:36

either you are safe to drive or you are not

I totally agree with this. But it is the aggressive drivers that are the most dangerous IMO. Driving too fast, too close, overtaking when there isn't sufficient room are all likely to cause accidents. And (again imo) those who drive frustratingly slowly or are overly cautious at junctions etc may be irritating but any accidents are likely to be minor injury bumps rather than fatal crashes.

CordeliaWyndamPryce · 08/05/2019 16:38

lemony, all the national speed limit roads near me are around farms so IME people should be taking care when going over hills / round corners anyway because it could easily be a tractor going slowly ahead of them!

Ginlinessisnexttogodliness · 08/05/2019 18:03

@downcasteyes

If someone is going through something that would seriously or significantly compromise their driving then they absolutely should not be on the road because they are driving improperly.

End of

GabsAlot · 08/05/2019 19:25

thats my point just sayhing well i wasnt concnetrating on the kids isnt good enough

AlexaAmbidextra · 08/05/2019 19:45

I always have one in and take it out if kids aren't in the car - I also have Child Details on car seat - If child gets thrown from the car having the sign alerts emergency services that there is children in the car. Or on approach so they check for children first. I don't like having it always but 'Baby on board' is definitely a safety measure.

If your car is in an accident that is so severe that your child is thrown out, why on earth do you think a sign will remain in place? It’s a ridiculous notion.

TabbyMumz · 08/05/2019 19:50

Why are people saying it's no worse than p plates? I thought p plates were a legal requirement after passing your test, whereas "elderly driver" plates are just a jokey sign put there by choice?

clairemcnam · 08/05/2019 19:51

No they are not a legal requirement.

ForalltheSaints · 08/05/2019 19:58

There are plenty of people who should never be allowed to drive again, some of whom will be of pensionable age, but in my opinion most of them will be a lot younger. Not just the one pictured.

IncyWincyGrownUp · 08/05/2019 20:13

I think everybody who has a driving license should have to undertake a compulsory retest at set intervals in order to maintain it. Perhaps every five years or so.

I also think stupid signs in cars are pointless.

:o