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AIBU

Children in a moving car with rear windows down

(38 Posts)
DJF2018 Thu 26-Jul-18 18:06:13

My daughter and her husband allow their 2 under-twelves to lower the rear windows of the car on journeys, even at high speeds. The children then rest their chins, hands or arms on the edge of the glass, or worse, dangle their hands or even lean out of the window. I think this is dangerous, and don't allow it in my car. But the children continue to do it when my daughter is driving, even though they all know it worries me. AIBU to worry about this? Maybe it isn't as dangerous as I fear?

rubytut Thu 26-Jul-18 18:18:53

I would see it as dangerous but as I have got older I see danger everywhere. As long as you keep with the "my car my rules" hopefully you will not have to see it too often.

SueDonim Thu 26-Jul-18 18:26:40

If they are properly restrained by the correct car seats then I don't understand how they are able to lean out of the windows.

pollyperkins Thu 26-Jul-18 18:26:54

Presumably tbey are strapped in so I don't see the problem unless they put arms or heads actually out of the car. That would be dangerous as well as distracting for other motorists.

Newquay Thu 26-Jul-18 18:29:03

I say exactly the same, nothing dangled out of the window-I do have to repeat myself several times. Nothing new there then.
Recently at DD's I saw lower window pushed up, sofa in front with drop to hard surface. I had to comment on it and hope they've taken it on board especially after hearing of sad death of young lad who fell through a window. I don't see danger everywhere but life experience teaches us what to look out for.
Actually DD2 recently spent evening with DD1 who said that said DD had said I was safety mad-I waited for reaction with bated breath but DD1 said she was glad to hear it-phew!

Melanieeastanglia Thu 26-Jul-18 18:30:37

If they are wearing seatbelts, how are they able to lean out of the windows? I feel certain a Police officer would stop a driver if he/she saw this.

Apart from the Police taking an interest, I would regard this sort of behaviour as dangerous.

ginny Thu 26-Jul-18 18:35:19

As others have said , how can they have heads out of the window if they are properly ( legally) restrained ?
Also most cars have air con. now. This will not work properly if the windows are open. Far cooler to use the air con.

pollyperkins Thu 26-Jul-18 18:36:44

No, not leaning out of the window - missed that! Very dangerous and how is it possible if strapped in seat?

Squiffy Thu 26-Jul-18 18:48:13

hmm ???

PECS Thu 26-Jul-18 19:25:36

Echoing others..if in car seats and properly strapped not sure how a head gets near enough the window. I do not allow it as I do not like the noise.

merlotgran Thu 26-Jul-18 19:33:58

And a hmm from me as well.

jenpax Thu 26-Jul-18 19:39:31

I too consider this very dangerous?
I am also another who has been labelled safety mad by DD’s I am sure I am more aware of potential hazards for the DGC than I was with my own children ??‍♀️

SueDonim Thu 26-Jul-18 19:49:03

Squiffy and Merlotgran I did have a hmm thought too, but decided to answer anyway. grin

rubytut Thu 26-Jul-18 20:01:19

If you are wearing a seat belt, and not in a childrens seat,you can easily lean forward to stick your head out. Just saying as that is the point a lot of people are making.

SueDonim Thu 26-Jul-18 20:51:08

Rubytut, British law states that children under 12yrs or 135cm must be in a child car seat so unless both children are exceptionally tall, they won't be using a seat belt on its own.

petra Thu 26-Jul-18 21:30:48

Somebody's bored grin

ContraryMary88 Thu 26-Jul-18 21:41:06

And it’s a ? from me as well.

FlexibleFriend Thu 26-Jul-18 21:54:05

I wouldn't allow them to dangle anything out of the car but resting arms on top of the window presents no danger and they're old enough to understand that.

petra Thu 26-Jul-18 22:20:50

DJF2018
Do you think you could dream up something more realistic for us to debate.
With thanks.

Melanieeastanglia Thu 26-Jul-18 22:23:07

Petra - if you're right and this is somebody making up problems, I feel silly for having taken it seriously. It isn't the first time I've been fooled.

However, there are people silly enough to allow their children to behave like this.

Squiffy Thu 26-Jul-18 23:06:16

SueDo I think it's a challenge to see how long they last before being rumbled! I just feel miffed for all the kind GNs who don't realise.

MawBroon Thu 26-Jul-18 23:06:49

How is this possible if they are wearing seat belts?
If they choose to have the windows open and can reach an open window with a hand, so what?

yggdrasil Fri 27-Jul-18 07:51:52

Mawbroon: How is this possible if they are wearing seat belts? If they choose to have the windows open and can reach an open window with a hand, so what?

Seat belts or car seats. Exactly so. My grandson could open the little triangular window beside his seat from age 3. We always had to check when leaving the car that the little menace hadn't done it again :-)

There seems to be quite a few AIBU postings on Gransnet,
from people who haven't thought it through. The problem here isn't putting hands out the window, it is not having the children strapped in as the law requires.

harrigran Fri 27-Jul-18 08:13:24

The chauffeur gets annoyed when the little darlings lean out of the windows he says their shoe buckles scuff the leather seats.

Juggernaut Fri 27-Jul-18 14:24:31

?????