Child not strapped into car seat.

[Greatbritish]

I met someone this weekend who I hadn't seen for over 10 years. I travelled a few hours to see her.

She parked the car a 5 minute walk from where we met. She left her 5 yr old child in the car. Which shocked me.

We then drove 10mins to her house. The child was not strapped in. I was shocked even more. I made 2 comments about the child walking around in the back, but it was clear this was common practice. She got defensive when I mentioned it the second time. As I hadn't seen her in so long, and had travelled so far, I decided to not push it

On the way back to the train station, I sat in the back with the child to ensure they were strapped in.

How would you have handled this?

I have a policy that I don't join in with things I'm not comfortable with. I prefer to step away so as not to be culpable.

So I would have said something like 'I can't travel in a car with a child that isn't restrained because I'm too worried about the car getting stopped or an accident happening'.

I would find that situation very, very hard because it should be reported. If you're not in the car, you do then have the option to anonymously report.