Today while I was running errands - there was a white Lexus ahead of me with a "baby on board" caution sign on the back window - we were at a stop light and I saw a toddler - I would GUESS 15months old OUT OF HER CAR SEAT bouncing around in the back seat of the car - I ALMOST picked up my phone and dialed 911 - but I did not...
I just up beside him to see if I could get him to roll down his window? He was yapping on his cell phone....I THINK a big sister was in the seat beside the toddler standing...however, my gut said to call 911...but I didn't - it's not like I chickened out - I had their license plate but I didn't know where they were going.....
What would you have done?!
Thanks!! I DID honk my horn - but he was too engrossed in his cell phone chat to notice...it's just sooo sad because a child will pay for the err of the parent!
I don't know if 911 in Fairfax County would've responded, i'll have to call the police non-emergency line and find out. Never hurts to ask!! So I called FFX CTY non-emergency police...we have 10 days that we can file a complaint on line or via the phone. If we see it right then and there - they will dispatch a car closest for citations...if we file a complaint electronically with license plate #, date, time, etc. the FFX Cty police will send them a notice and a fine...sort of like a citizens arrest...you know? Thank you!!
THANK YOU for the buckle buddy.org info!!! HOW GREAT IS THAT?!?!?!
Well it's a damn good thing you never saw my mother in the 60s and 70s with her 5 small children packed into the VW of the month without any seatbelts or car seats of any kind!
:)
I have been in similar situations where you wish you would have done something but didn't. I wish I would have stopped for that tired looked person lugging grocery bags, or just someone walking away from their broken down car on the highway. Usually by the time I decide I should have stopped I am a mile away or more, and then I hear my dad's voice in my head warning me about criminals and liability issues. If you have the license plate you could still call the police and explain what you said above.
In IL, we have a program called "Be a Buckle Buddy". You call and leave info about the car, town, time, date and they will send a letter to the registered owner of the car. Maybe you could investigate if your state has a similiar program.
Good luck!
www.bucklebuddy.org
888-800-2642
I have actually pulled up next to people like that, honked my horn, gotten their attention and told them to strap their child in, all the while explaining what would happen to the child if they had to slam on the brakes.
Some get mad, some look sheepish, but I have hard time letting that one pass me by. My son cringes if he with me - more because he thinks I am going to provoke someone's road rage and get us both killed. But, he is the same child that reminds me to put on my seat belt - so he gets it.
Nikki is right - 911 is not going to respond to that - in my area that is a non-emergent call and by the time you get through to dispatch, the other car is long gone.
You have to do what you feel comfortable with Cheryl.
And realize that we can't "save" everyone.
I think we are all hyper aware of little ones right now because of the horror in the news lately.
God Bless
Mamapedia rocks! I learn something new all the time here and Buckle Buddy is probably the best advice I ever heard!
Cheryl, don't beat yourself up about this. I am just glad there are more people like you who care so strongly for the safety of kids.
In my area 911 does respond, but often times, when people see emergency lights behind them, they put their booze under the seat, stuff their weed down their pants and make their kids get back in the car seat.
I'm going to check right now to see if Minn. has buckle buddy! A bouquet of flowers for Mrs. M!!!
a few weeks ago my husband told me he was driving on an interstate, and saw a car going too fast, then too slow, then all over the place. he said he just got a feeling about that car.so he drove on another lane next to it, and what did he see? a mom on the phone, with a kid about 2-3 years old out of its seat. he said, his heart sank, and that he could imagine if she had to hit the breaks for some reason, that child would have flown out of windshield. but 911 won't respond to it and he was afraid to honk, so the W. wouldn't get even more distracted and do something stupid. heartbreaking, but what can you do?
I think I would have honked to get his attention then gestured at the baby.
it's a little on the "balls-y" side but... get his attention and tell him to put them in care seats now, or i will call the police and follow you in my car untill they arrive!
you could try being polite first, i guess. what ever floats your boat.
what i do when i see children bouncing around in a moving car, , is i roll down my window and tell the child(ren) that they need to sit down in their seat, so they dont get hurt.course this is right after i stick my deformed left arm out the window, knowing that the kids, not to mention the adults in the car, are going to be asking me what in the name of krispy kreme happened to my arm, when i tell them that my arm was broken in multible places thanks to car accident, the kids suddenly decide to sit down quietly in their car seats, and the adults are suddenly scrambling to put on their seat belts, and put down their cellphones. i am a walking advertisement for safe driving, what can i say.the next time you see a child not in their carseat, call 911 and let them handle it
K. h.
Someone ought to send this thread to 8kidsdad. He doesn't believe in carseats.
Dawn
Well, you could have gently rammed his car, that would get his attention!!! ;-) Seriously kidding!!
You tried but he was too lost in his own little world to care about his kids. You could call the non emergency of the county sheriff or state patrol and talk to an officer explain what happened and give them the license number. hopefully they will contact that parent and tell him that it is a no-no to have an unsecured child in a moving car.
I would of minded my own business
In my area, 9-1-1 does not respond to calls like that. They simply don't have time for it. I think that more people need to "man-up" and say something, though. If people were held accountable for their actions by the public at large, they would be less likely to do things like that.
Take this site for example- when one of us says something out of line (which I have), other Moms are quick to tell us (which you have). Lesson learned! We all quickly realize what's ok to post and what's not ok. Honestly, in my life, it translates to more tolerance and less sensitivity to things that probably shouldn't piss me off.
Truthfully, I probably would have done what you did, which is get pissed off but do nothing, and then wish I had later. But really, if you had said something, it is possible that you wouldn't have accomplished anything but put the guy on defensive, piss him off, and possibly scare the kids. Probably just saying a prayer for the kids is a good idea.
I probably would have honked to get his attention and pointed to the back and say buckle up
Ugh, the family I used to nanny for stopped putting their kids in car seat around the same time. SO wrong. If you can't get their attention, it's definitely okay to call 911. Don't get down on yourself though, it's one of those touch situations to decide in the moment.
Tough one. Because as a mom you want to throw yourself out in front of them to correct what they are doing. And what he was doing was breaking the Law. So, for next time know you have a right to pull behind him and follow while calling the police. You couldnt get his attention...he was TALKING ON HIS PHONE...And driving...so the fact you pulled up and didnt realize you were trying to get him to notice you...means his childs life was in danger...for more reason then not being buckled.
Whats done is done for today. You tried. You cant be a fault for questioning whether or not to call the police. Everyone has done the same questioning at some point in their life. Know for next time as a mama bear...sometimes we have to look out for other peoples cubs! Dont be afraid to do so!!
