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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To find Baby on board car signs pointless and rather irritating.

255 replies

VickyLouT · 27/02/2022 11:57

I just don't get it. What purpose do these signs serve? I totally understand why you might wear a baby on board badge on the tube, that has a purpose. But why a car sign? Are other drivers supposed to be behave differently around you "more safely" or perhaps just be forewarned that you may have poor driving or parking as you may be sleep deprived. Aibu to find this pointless signalling irritating? Maybe someone with one of these signs share why?

OP posts:
lochmaree · 27/02/2022 21:06

@user5898533 they do though, in an accident.

I'm not disagreeing that the signs are pointless, I hadn't realised until now!

Jestal · 27/02/2022 21:08

Again, usually it is most likely children and babies sitting in the back.

If someone is tail gating you or trying to under/over take this sign will hopefully make them more mindful of the repercussion of their actions since anyone that hits from behind will most likely affect the children first.

Its to act as a deterrent to stop people performing risky or stupid driving around you.

I really dont see in the cirrent climate that we are living in (aka war) why this is ecen note worthy of making a debate about. So what if people use them if it gives them a better peace of mind? It doesnt hurt you if someone is doing something to protect their children. If it seriously pisses you off that much op im sorry but you really need to get a life and pick your battles. Its such an innocent harmless act. Nothing to get your knickers in a twist about...

Katlow · 27/02/2022 21:09

People stick all kinds of stickers on their cars which are pointless. Why does it matter to anyone else?

Sparklingbrook · 27/02/2022 21:13

Maybe we should all have a sign on our front doors saying whether there are any babies in the house so that if it burns down the emergency services will know they need to search for them.

Tee20x · 27/02/2022 21:21

Its to act as a deterrent to stop people performing risky or stupid driving around you.

Exactly this.

People drive like dickheads, maybe if they know you've got kids in the back they'll think twice.

Also, I know when I drive with mine in the back I take things extra slow, speed humps, corners etc as she gets carsick - again, see point above regarding dickheads. Provides an explanation as to why people may be driving more slowly etc and deters them from being right up your arse.

People display all sorts of signs, not sure why this is anything noteworthy. You don't like them fine, no one is forcing you to display them

Heytheredemons · 27/02/2022 21:22

I thought the whole point of them when they made an appearance many hears ago, was for people to take extra care when driving near you, keeping distance, not tailgating, etc.
However, we are in a very selfish society where most people are wrapped up in their own lives oblivious to everyone else, so they are pointless now.
The other thing I have noticed is a lot of people that have then drive like entitled dicks, soooo.....🤷

Minniem2020 · 27/02/2022 21:24

I don't know why anyone would care what stickers people have in their cars but I have one. mine is to send the message that yes I'm going slower than you might like but that's because I have my kids in the back of the car so back off from right up my arse

hm1610 · 27/02/2022 21:26

On a first aid course when I was pregnant the first aiders advised me that it was to notify emergency services that there is an infant on board.

I'd also hope it would deter people from driving in a dangerous manner when close to your vehicle.

I'm talking of actual 'child/baby on board' signs as opposed to 'I love my nephew'

Sparklingbrook · 27/02/2022 21:26

People drive like dickheads, maybe if they know you've got kids in the back they'll think twice

Nice thought but back in the real world that's not going to happen. At best though it might warn people there's possibly a tired, distracted driver at the wheel who might stop suddenly or not indicate I suppose.

GertrudeKerfuffle · 27/02/2022 21:26

I find them stupid and annoying, but I do like car stickers that take the piss out of car stickers.

To find Baby on board car signs pointless and rather irritating.
To find Baby on board car signs pointless and rather irritating.
Ohyesiam · 27/02/2022 21:27

I imagine first responders are trained to look in the actual car for babies. Because looking on the back window and going “ Oh ok, no sign so no baby to worry about” would probably get them sacked.

Ohyesiam · 27/02/2022 21:28

@Marvellousmadness

People with those signs in their car are 50 shades of rediculous Hmm
Define rediculous please
LikeTheFruit · 27/02/2022 21:29

I find the emergency services argument odd. Surely the presence of a infant/child car seat will do a lot more to alert them that there was a child I. The car rather than a daft sign??

Tee20x · 27/02/2022 21:29

This whole thing about baby on board = tired distracted driver is a joke though isn't it. I'm not being funny but just because someone is a parent doesn't mean they are a sleep deprived zombie randomly pulling out in front of you or not indicating.

Strange that people give so much thought to something like this that the majority of people in the real world wouldn't think twice about.

Sweetbabyrays · 27/02/2022 21:31

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn.

Sparklingbrook · 27/02/2022 21:33

This whole thing about baby on board = tired distracted driver is a joke though isn't it. I'm not being funny but just because someone is a parent doesn't mean they are a sleep deprived zombie randomly pulling out in front of you or not indicating.

Well not really a joke and if someone pulled out on me and they had a 'Baby on Board ' sticker I might think well that explains a lot. But there's also a chance they are a terrible drive and happen to have a baby and want everyone to know. Grin

ReeseWitherfork · 27/02/2022 21:49

DH drives like a dickhead, and I can assure you he drives like a dickhead for everyone, he doesn't discriminate.

On a similar note to this, there's an episode of Gilmore Girls where Lorelai honks every time she sees a "honk if you love (insert hobby here)" sticker. And of course, all it does is rile up the other driver. You don't see them much in this country but every time I do I have a little chuckle.

bubblesbubbles11 · 27/02/2022 21:53

haven't read the whole thread.

but i think some people like it because they just LOVE the whole process of pregnancy and having a baby so much that being in that state is a massive ego trip for them and displaying that sign is a bit like women who love to take photos of themselves displaying their hand with (usually massive) engagement ring on display.

EthelTheAardvark · 27/02/2022 22:01

@Sunsetzs

The idea that "nobody" cares who is n your car is just false. The majority might not, that doesn't mean nobody exists who might behave differently if they thought a baby was in the car.

I've had someone begin to get aggressive on the street outside a park, and then when they noticed my child looking over "oh sorry, didn't notice the child", and storm of muttering. Why would it suddenly never happen in a car?

Someone who actually comes over to your car to get aggressive with you is going to see the child before they see any sign. If they're driving, are you honestly suggesting there is a substantial likelihood of someone intent on hitting your car who will back off when they see the sign? If someone is in such a red mist that they would deliberate ram another car, they're definitely not going to stop to read any random signs. I know road rage happens, but it's rare and this certainly isn't the way to de-escalate it.
EthelTheAardvark · 27/02/2022 22:05

This reply has been deleted

Message removed as it quotes a post that's been withdrawn.

Peoniesandcream · 27/02/2022 22:10

There was the same thread as this less than a year ago and a lot of bitter people saying stupid things like "congratulations you can breed" etc. What's the problem apart from jealousy etc, I don't get it.

Sweetbabyrays · 27/02/2022 22:16

@EthelTheAardvarkI didn’t say it was my husband??? but yes they did have a sign, that was in place. They would still obviously check if a car seat was in place and empty but not so rigorously if not, but then not every seat stays put either…. it depends how secure they are placed, the chair or the child I guess.

Sparklingbrook · 27/02/2022 22:21

If it was that important to the emergency services that there should be a sign to indicate the presence of a baby in the car then they would be mandatory.

WeDontShutUpAboutBruno · 27/02/2022 22:24

This reply has been deleted

Message removed as it quotes a post that's been withdrawn.

LetsGoFlyAKiteee · 27/02/2022 22:25

@Sparklingbrook

If it was that important to the emergency services that there should be a sign to indicate the presence of a baby in the car then they would be mandatory.
And you would think they'd make it mandatory to take them out if the child isn't on board as well..
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