Buckling Baby Up

[jennyjoan]

Friend came round to me last night and asked me would I pick her grandchildren up from school. They are 9, 7 and 3.

I couldn't because I have some visitors today so I had to say no.

However it occurred to me after she left that had I done so my insurance would have been nil and void because they would not have been in proper car seats only buckled up. (if anything had happened)

Would this be correct. Thanks.

[bednobs]

if you'd have said yes, she might have brought car seats. Or maybe she thought you'd walk

[woofgang]

you might have got away with it under the short necessary unexpected journey clause but as it would have been planned, I doubt it. I have no idea what the insurance implications are but its deffo against the law in the UK. https://www.gov.uk/child-car-seats-the-rules/when-a-child-can-travel-without-a-car-seat

[jennyjoan]

Bednobs absolutely no car seats - no the journey is about 6 miles away so no walking involved.

[jennyjoan]

thanks woofgang - some interesting points there - particularly when it comes to taxi drivers as I see that all the time.

[New Judge]

The Third Party aspect of your insurance cannot be made void for this reason.

[Prudie]

That link says any child 3 or over can travel in a standard seat belt so it would have been fine.

[-SharonA-]

Nearly happened to me. One weekend babysitting my granddaughter at my home, Sunday morning dropping her home, she was just strapped in the back of car, when I stopped at traffic lights and a cop car pulled up along side in the next lane. Lights changed I pull off only to have them chase me flag me down and they gave me a lecture and a warning. They also mentioned the insurance aspect. Get a baby seat or else.

[bhg481]

Prudie - only in emergency in a private car, so pre-arranged pick-up doesn't count.

[bhg481]

I notice that the exceptions only apply to children over three. That seems sensible, as they can travel for a short distance with an adult seatbelt. Many yearsa ago, before the age of cell phones and child seats, we were flagged down by a man with a baby in his arms standing by his broken-down car. He wanted a lift to the nearest civilisation so that he could get help; we were happy to give him a lift. What could we do tomorrow if the same happened and no-one had a cellphone? Do we leave them there or break the law by transporting the baby without a seat?