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Original poster

Fun or Dangerous:on private land letting children sit on lap to pretend to drive the car.Under 5 miles ph

36 replies

overdraft · 09/05/2006 12:58

I remember my dad doing this with us too.
We are on a caravan site and for the last 5 years we pull up, open the gate and one of our children gets on our lap to pretend to drive the car.My children love doing this.There is a 5 mile an hour speed limit which we stick to.
There is an old woman on the site who has it in for us and has now complained about this.
I just don't know.My children aren't naughty children she picks on them.
Don't want you all having a go at me just wondered if she has a point.The only people that agree with her are the other old people that are her freinds at the moment.

OP posts:
sassy · 09/05/2006 13:00

Think she does have a point. After all, if there was an accident and police were called, the site owner might get into trouble.

If it was your own land, might be different.

(I know accident scenario is unlikely, but you never know..)

NatalieJane · 09/05/2006 13:01

We've done it as kids and with our son, I don't see the harm as long as there are obviously no other cars or people close by.

Some people are only happy if they are having a moan.

Northerner · 09/05/2006 13:01

Fun I think.

We've done this too. Ovbiously VERY slow, and ovbiously kids aren't really driving.

I suspect we'll be in the minority here though. Await the onslaught..........

Rhubarb · 09/05/2006 13:01

I think, private land or otherwise, you are still subject to the law and according to the law, this is illegal.

I remember my brother doing this (I was never allowed!) and mil has driven the tractor and bobcat with dd and ds on her knee, no probs from me!

This old lady sounds like a real spoilsport! But just to warn you, that she can report you to the police. Hopefully they'd turn a blind eye, but they might not do. Be careful!

themoon66 · 09/05/2006 13:02

I've done the same thing with mine when they were little. We live down a long rough farm track which is not official highway. I would sit one on my lap and let them steer while I did the pedals. Never any problem.

Rhubarb · 09/05/2006 13:03

lol about awaiting the onslaught! How long do you give it before someone comes on ranting about how dangerous and irresponsible it is and how a friend of a friend of a friend's dd/ds had an accident doing this!
I give it 20 mins!

Twinkie1 · 09/05/2006 13:04

WOuldn;t let my kids do it but its down to whoever is the guardian at the time.

Original poster
overdraft · 09/05/2006 13:05

It is a site owned by all of us.It is an association.Dose that make a difference.Didn't know she could report me to the police though.

OP posts:
Original poster
overdraft · 09/05/2006 13:07

It is a one way little road and we wouldn't do it if there were children playing.Oh perhaps we better stop then.I have seen 14 year olds drive cars down there too.It is just because it is us i think

OP posts:
themoon66 · 09/05/2006 13:08

Even if she reports you, its your word against hers. The police would want evidence to even think about following it up. Make sure she doesn't video you or something.

Bugsy2 · 09/05/2006 13:08

I don't think you are subject to the same regulations on private land as you are on the public highway. However, if the private land is not your own, I suppose the best thing to do would be to ask permission of the landowner.
My parents have a small farm & I take ds out in my car to "drive" and he also gets a turn on the rickety old dumper truck.

LIZS · 09/05/2006 13:11

I used to do this as a child on a farm we stayed at, couldn't even reach the pedals. However I wouldn't let my kids do it now ! There may be liability issues should there be an accident either to yourselves or other's property.

Rhubarb · 09/05/2006 13:23

You CAN be prosecuted on private land! Many people think they can drive pissed on their own land, but they can't, it is subject to the same laws as anywhere.

However, I doubt the police would follow this up, they've better things to do. Even if they do come out, with no evidence all they can do is to warn you.

I wouldn't take any notice personally. But the 14yos driving? Don't know about that, do they have the same morals as you about not driving around when kids are out playing?

hana · 09/05/2006 13:27

dangerous
driving ins't a game for children

Rhubarb · 09/05/2006 13:30

I was right!!!!! Just over 20 mins!

jabberwocky · 09/05/2006 13:33

My only concern would be the airbag. It doesn't take much of a bump to set them off and the child is sitting fairly close. If you have an older car or can deactivate the air bag I see no problem with it. My grandmother used to do this with me and I loved it.

Original poster
overdraft · 09/05/2006 13:34

Thank you for your replie.Just thought it was a bit of harmless fun. All the things we did as kids are just not on anymore.Children climbing trees,playing in puddles.I know this isn't the same but not a danger to others as we thought.We keep our children in check we have car seats in the car and all the other saftey gadgets you can get.If we thought it was dangerous we wouldn't have done it.Thanks anyway we will now rethink this then.

OP posts:
OliveWhoIsNotHereOhNoNotAtAll · 09/05/2006 13:36

Dangerous

Your child may laugh and split its sides with glee. Desist immediately.

jabberwocky · 09/05/2006 13:37

You make a very good point. In trying to be so safe, maybe we've taken a lot of the fun out of growing up. Sad

GarfieldsGirl · 09/05/2006 13:37

My dad used to do it with me, and dp used to do it with ds1 when he could drive. I don't see any probs with it.

MadamePlatypus · 09/05/2006 13:41

It would be the 14 year olds driving around that would worry me - what if you are sitting in your car with a child on your lap and one of them gets their accelaration and break mixed up and shunts into the back of you?

MadamePlatypus · 09/05/2006 13:42

Also, imagine the problems if you had to make an insurance claim

Rhubarb · 09/05/2006 13:45

Heaven forbid that children should have fun! I stop mine from running around or climbing in case they fall and hurt themselves, then I'd have to claim on their individual personal insurance schemes I've set up for them! And what if they were playing with a child who fell and the parents sued me??????

Children should be kept in protective armour at all costs!

Twiglett · 09/05/2006 13:46

if it was private empty land then I think its fun

I think the issue is that its private land being used by caravans hence there are other people around .. the 5 mile an hour limit is for pedestrian safety not for child's fun

so in this case I'll side with the old lady

OliveWhoIsNotHereOhNoNotAtAll · 09/05/2006 13:47

Indeed

I may sue my parents for letting me run around in the farmers field ON MY OWN when I was 8. A bull chased me and I fell in a load of shit. I am still traumatised now. And can't spell.