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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Any police officers here? Can you settle debate for us please?

76 replies

nickyjy · 26/08/2022 09:30

A relative of mine has kindly offered to take my 2 DC (twins aged 6), along with her child (aged 4) and a another relative's child (also aged 4) on a day trip that involves a 1 hour car journey in each direction.
I asked how she intends getting 4 children in back of her car, with only 3 seat belts. She said my twins can each have a seat belt and the younger 2 children can "share" the 3rd seatbelt, so that it pulls across and straps both of them in.
I'm not sure whether this is legal or not? And whether it would risk the safety of the 2 little ones in the event of an accident.
Obviously I haven't agreed to my twins going on this trip yet, not until I know whether what my cousin has suggested is actually legal/allowed.
Any ideas? Would really appreciate a definitive answer, ideally from police, legal people or similar.
Thanks, Nicky x

OP posts:

BitOutOfPractice · 26/08/2022 09:32

You don’t need to be a police office to know that’s wrong!

Cantthinkofadifferentname · 26/08/2022 09:33

One in the front in a high back booster, seat as far back as possible and air bag off?

Nicknacky · 26/08/2022 09:33

You can’t seriously think that’s ok?

MRex · 26/08/2022 09:33

Obviously a shared strap isn't safe. One of the 6yo would need to sit in the front. They all need booster seats too, or at least a mifold to hold the strap in a decent position.

Police can't prevent accidents, you don't rely on police, you decide what is safe based on published research about car safety.

AnchorWHAT · 26/08/2022 09:33

Should they not be in booster seats at that age, and no that really is not safe.

SecretVictoria · 26/08/2022 09:33

I’m not a police officer but, no this isn’t legal.

www.gov.uk/child-car-seats-the-rules

www.gov.uk/seat-belts-law/when-you-dont-need-to-wear-a-seat-belt

superram · 26/08/2022 09:34

I’m not the police but yes it’s illegal. However, putting a child in the front seat in a car seat wouldn’t be? 3 in the back in car seats, one in the front in forward facing car seat. Your 6 year olds may have to on a booster seat if no room for 3 seats across the back. Even if it wasn’t illegal would you want your child to share a seatbelt? Didn’t think so….

Coughee · 26/08/2022 09:34

Have you time travelled here from the 80s?? Its not legal or safe. Obviously.

Hollyhocksarenotmessy · 26/08/2022 09:35

You can't fit one seatbelt across 2 car seats.

But she's not even intending to use carseats, is she.

Very stupid and illegal.

Ponoka7 · 26/08/2022 09:37

As said booster seat in the front.

SoldierBoy · 26/08/2022 09:38

Surely you can't actually be wondering whether this is safe and legal!?

unicormb · 26/08/2022 09:39

Memories of me rattling around in the boot of my dad's cortina, with him yelling 'hang on!' as we rounded a sharp bend 😂

Cantgetbackagain · 26/08/2022 09:40

not until I know whether what my cousin has suggested is actually legal/allowed.

FGS you’re worried about the legalities rather than the fact it’s ridiculously unsafe?

Perpop · 26/08/2022 09:42

You can’t be serious

FinishYourBrekkie · 26/08/2022 09:49

Police officer here.

The circumstances you have described are not legal. At those ages, all of the children should be in their own car seat. If there is only space for three car seats in the rear of the car, then only three of the children can sit there. Will there be space for a car seat in the front passenger seat or will that seat be occupied by an adult?

TopKnotch · 26/08/2022 09:51

Regardless of legality - why on earth would you even contemplate this? Not only is the car going to be a potential deathtrap, the day trip is going to be risky at those ratios too!!

gold22 · 26/08/2022 09:57

I don't think you need a police officer to say that that's

sundayvibeswig22 · 26/08/2022 10:03

One in the front, 3 in the back, all with booster seats.

AnnaFri · 26/08/2022 10:04

How are they fitting all 4 car seats in the back?

You don't need to be a police officer to know the basics of fucking safety and the law

Sarahcoggles · 26/08/2022 10:08

It terrifies me that someone can actually wonder if this is legal!

Bollindger · 26/08/2022 10:10

No you can't do that now, the insurance for the car will says it is a 5 seater and so she would effectively be driving uncovered, even if someone hit her.

Aquamarine1029 · 26/08/2022 10:10

It's shocking that you are actually considering this.

MenaiMna · 26/08/2022 10:13

Obviously as pp say not legal but if that's how your relative thinks they're not safe to drive themselves around, let alone any children. Their safety barometer is so far-fecked and off balance I would advise you to never leave any child alone with them again - driving or not.

Penguinfeather781 · 26/08/2022 10:14

Illegal and highly, highly dangerous. Absolutely lethal in a crash. I mean yes, lots of us did it as kids in the 70s/80s and lived to tell the tale, but times have moved on. Each child needs a high back booster seat and a seatbelt (if the youngest aren’t still in harnessed seats). I have a fairly big car but even with one in the front I can’t fit four children in seats - so I only ever have three.

I wouldn’t let my children go anywhere with someone so irresponsible about basic safety.

Anewdayanewdawn · 26/08/2022 10:14

At that age they all need car seats and booster, with their own seat belt. FFS

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