Car seat responsibility

[Jake1]

Hello,
My wife and I have a single car seat that is sometimes moved between 2 cars. Recently she put the car seat in the car but did not strap it in.

Some days later, I took our 20 month old child to visit the grandparents about an hour's drive away. I just assumed the car seat was secured (why would it be in the car without being strapped in!?), so I didn't check it. I only discovered after that it wasn't secured.

Fortunately nothing happened but was this my fault?
Thanks.

Legally it would be your fault as you were the driver and therefore responsible for making sure it was fitted correctly.

The main issue is learning from it for the future. Not focusing on fault and recrimination. Be thankful it turned out ok.

I’ve always rechecked the seat each time I put the children in, because you’re meant to. But even so once I got distracted and for got to finish strapping dd in. Thankfully it was a short journey and I realise at the other end. I didn’t blame myself as it was an accident, nor did I blame Dh for distracting me over something else whilst I was doing it. But it made me much much more vigilant.

I check it's fastened in before each journey, because once we nearly set off with it unfastened, have been extra careful since!

I would always presume if we have been swapping car seats between cars that the are never secured in. My dh will often put a car seat back in my car but I would not presume he would secure it as he might have been in a rush. As the driver it is always your responsibility to ensure children are strapped in securely.

you prob both got a fright and she will always secure it going forward and you will also check. Happened to us too, always check now, even when it hasn't moved since I last checked.

It is recommended that belted seats are check for a secure fitting every journey.

Ds car seat stays in my car, and I still check it's secure every journey, and he's 4.

Its always the drivers responsibility.

She should have strapped it in if she moved it but check check and check again in future!

Yes, your fault.
It's fairly easy to spot that it isn't, unless she did everything but lock the seat belt.

I always gave mine a good wobble to check how secure they were. It’s a good habit to get into every time you strap your child in. It’s the kind of thing your should be doing anyway, especially when a car seat is shared between cars.

Has happened to me too. The rule i have now is that if you transfer the seat you are responsible for fitting it, however if you dont have time then leave the seat lying down so that the driver is aware its not been fitted properly. Miscommunication is all thats happened here, but yes ultimately its your responsibility.

She should have sytaoo d it in and if not able to, should have let you know. I’d imagine you got a pretty big what if fright. As others have said, as the driver you should check, especially if it’s a seat that is moved frequently and I’d imagine that you will from now on!

Regardless of fault the lesson here is in future always check. Granted it was an unwise thing for your ex to do (If I just put a seat in the car for transportation I always put it on its side to make clear it's not connect up). Nothing happened so no point musing over blame, just check your self in future, then nothing can't go wrong.

If you are the driver you need to check your car, your DW needs to check hers. I am sure both of you will check in future, blaming each other isn't going to help either of you.

Granted it was an unwise thing for your ex to do

You might be on to something here, if this couple engages in such blame games, and if the OP keeps blaming other people for his carelessness.

it was an unwise thing for your ex to do

It’s his wife, not an ex.

TBH, it’s a mistake many parents have made, particularly with a first stage car seat that is often removed. I’ve certainly done it.

Appointing blame is not helpful really, there were mistakes on both side - her for not securing it, you for not checking.