Dad fined for driving with toddler on lap (From Gazette)

Ok, so was he on the road at the time or simply letting the child steer the car around an empty car park like loads of fathers do?

Bit of a daft incomplete story as usual.

I did see a van driver the other day on a busy main road with a dog in his doing about 50.....guess the dog was showing him how it's done!

Still plenty of nuts about these days.

Bruce Springsteen used to do it.

I think its a miracle that Police were about to stop the vehicle in the first place, this was a tragedy just waiting to happen!

ManAboutTown wrote:
I think its a miracle that Police were about to stop the vehicle in the first place, this was a tragedy just waiting to happen!

Not necessarily. When I was a lad I often sat on my dad's lap to steer the car in empty car parks or private property. I'm sure many other people did this too. That's why I asked whether it was on the road or not. Obviously if it was then this guy needs to lose his licence.

Partyboy2 wrote:

ManAboutTown wrote: I think its a miracle that Police were about to stop the vehicle in the first place, this was a tragedy just waiting to happen!

Not necessarily. When I was a lad I often sat on my dad's lap to steer the car in empty car parks or private property. I'm sure many other people did this too. That's why I asked whether it was on the road or not. Obviously if it was then this guy needs to lose his licence.

We didn't used to have seatbelts in cars or wear crash helmets on motorbikes,either, didn't mean it was right though! If a child is sitting between an adult and a steering wheel it can be hurt no matter where the car is being driven.

kathy wrote:

Partyboy2 wrote:

ManAboutTown wrote: I think its a miracle that Police were about to stop the vehicle in the first place, this was a tragedy just waiting to happen!

Not necessarily. When I was a lad I often sat on my dad's lap to steer the car in empty car parks or private property. I'm sure many other people did this too. That's why I asked whether it was on the road or not. Obviously if it was then this guy needs to lose his licence.

We didn't used to have seatbelts in cars or wear crash helmets on motorbikes,either, didn't mean it was right though! If a child is sitting between an adult and a steering wheel it can be hurt no matter where the car is being driven.

Ha ha sure... Namby pamby Britain at it's best!
And I suppose you wouldn't let your kids ride a bike as Im **** sure there is more chance of them getting hurt on that!
And I know it's a car, and it can go fast etc etc but you are hardly going to deive like Damon Hill with a 5 year old steering are you!

Partyboy2, did you perchance fall off your bike when you were young whilst not wearing safety headgear ?

kathy wrote:
Partyboy2, did you perchance fall off your bike when you were young whilst not wearing safety headgear ?

No need to get personal is there. I was making a valid point. I bet Lewis Hamilton sat on his dad's lap before getting behind the wheel of a car for the first time. And I am talking about doing it in a safe environment so I see no problem.

Didn't mean to upset you, but when you wrote "And I suppose you wouldn't let your kids ride a bike as Im **** sure there is more chance of them getting hurt on that!" I thought maybe you were getting personal!

How is that in any way personal? No interest in carrying on this conversation as you clearly have nothing constructive to bring to the table. Enjoy your day Kathy from Basildon.

Partyboy2 wrote:

kathy wrote:
Partyboy2, did you perchance fall off your bike when you were young whilst not wearing safety headgear ?

No need to get personal is there. I was making a valid point. I bet Lewis Hamilton sat on his dad's lap before getting behind the wheel of a car for the first time. And I am talking about doing it in a safe environment so I see no problem.

What is all this about bikes Partyboy2?
I think you saying that it is OK to let toddlers drive in a car park is OK is definitely encouraging law breaking as, in general, they are public places, and that in aircraft etc. where children are able to sit on an adults lap, a supplemetary belt is provided. There was no such provision in this vehicle. The simple point is for all people to learn: "Stay within the law!"

Thank you Partyboy, you too.

I am sorry. I got a bit stuttery there!

If every activity that might cause an accident was banned just imagine what what your big fat kids would look like in a padded room on a padded chair playing their x boxes, not allowed to go out to play sports where they might get hurt, not allowed to ride a bike as they might fall off, dare nt climb a tree for conker, can t even play in a tree house in the garden nowdays. If this fella and his kid was just parking his car or in a car park what is the problem. As usual the law is an **** as well as many of its supporters

Dad was just stupid.If there had been an accident i ponder what comments would have been made.
PS You get fined more for Parking Illegally.

See-the-real wrote:
Bruce Springsteen used to do it.

Oh well then it must be ok to do. Listen, if I need to know about rock music then Bruce may be able to enter the conversation but child responsibility-NO! Michael Jackson dangled hus children from a balcony so is that ok to do? No, this father was irresponsible, end of. I remember my dad letting me do this and riding about without a seat belt because there was no law at the time to say otherwise. but, looking back now the dangers outweigh the fun it is as simple as that.

someone will be on here soon claiming that the McCanns were responsible parents and it's ok to leave your young children and babies home alone because they did it.

Am not sure why this story is even considered news, surely people have been fined for a lot less.

This story stuns me on 2 counts ........ Firstly, this newspaper covers the sprawling metropolises of Southend and Basildon, among other towns and I'm sure there's more articles worthy of inclusion in a newspaper than this! Secondly, I'm astounded by the level of debate this has caused. For me the main factor of this story is where did this happen. I am guessing that it happened in a car park, or quiet side street and my reason for this is if it had happened in a built up area or at any great speed then surely the penalty would have been harsher than a 60 quid fine!

I tend to agree with a lot of the comments on here that were this in a car park or quiet side street, and as I would guess only for a matter of yards then I personally have no problem with this.............. In fact I did the very same with my 2 year old son not 1 week ago. Lucky for me that Her Majesty's finest were not hiding behind any car park bins! My dad did it with me, and my son enjoyed every yard of the 20 he "drove" my car into a very quiet parking space. I know people will jump up and down, as has been shown on this post and tell me of the dangers of this, and yes......... had a 60 tonne Routemaster gone massively off course and managed to find a blind spot in the 400 yards or so of vision I had and approached quietly without in any way alerting me, and gone for the same quiet parking space among the 300 or so empty ones that I had gone for, then yes there is every possibility of carnage, but I would consider this very much a calculated risk! However had I been caught doing this then yes I understand I would have received the same fate as the person in this article.

And while on the subject of calculated risk, ................. I have to also put my hands up to the following and clear my conscience, now that I've started on this path ................ I sometimes throw my son in the air and catch him (To be honest until now I've never considered putting him in a hard hat or using a safety net!) I carry him at times on my shoulders, and only now am I considering a safety mechanism involving harnesses that will stop him when he reaches my knees, should he ever lean backwards.......... And even having a recollection of the Broadwater Farm riots.............. I've allowed him to visit family in North London!!!

Let kids be kids.......... Risk is around every corner, but calculate it and control it and show kids a bit of excitement ........... I for one know that I don't want any of mine telling me in 20 years about Health and Safety or the dangers of modern living ............... I'd much rather watch them walking around with their kids on their shoulders, throwing their kids in the air or God forbid ........... Having their kids sit on their laps for a 20 yard drive in an empty car park while the kiddie loves every second of it!!!

Essexbloke wrote:
This story stuns me on 2 counts ........ Firstly, this newspaper covers the sprawling metropolises of Southend and Basildon, among other towns and I'm sure there's more articles worthy of inclusion in a newspaper than this! Secondly, I'm astounded by the level of debate this has caused. For me the main factor of this story is where did this happen. I am guessing that it happened in a car park, or quiet side street and my reason for this is if it had happened in a built up area or at any great speed then surely the penalty would have been harsher than a 60 quid fine! I tend to agree with a lot of the comments on here that were this in a car park or quiet side street, and as I would guess only for a matter of yards then I personally have no problem with this.............. In fact I did the very same with my 2 year old son not 1 week ago. Lucky for me that Her Majesty's finest were not hiding behind any car park bins! My dad did it with me, and my son enjoyed every yard of the 20 he "drove" my car into a very quiet parking space. I know people will jump up and down, as has been shown on this post and tell me of the dangers of this, and yes......... had a 60 tonne Routemaster gone massively off course and managed to find a blind spot in the 400 yards or so of vision I had and approached quietly without in any way alerting me, and gone for the same quiet parking space among the 300 or so empty ones that I had gone for, then yes there is every possibility of carnage, but I would consider this very much a calculated risk! However had I been caught doing this then yes I understand I would have received the same fate as the person in this article. And while on the subject of calculated risk, ................. I have to also put my hands up to the following and clear my conscience, now that I've started on this path ................ I sometimes throw my son in the air and catch him (To be honest until now I've never considered putting him in a hard hat or using a safety net!) I carry him at times on my shoulders, and only now am I considering a safety mechanism involving harnesses that will stop him when he reaches my knees, should he ever lean backwards.......... And even having a recollection of the Broadwater Farm riots.............. I've allowed him to visit family in North London!!! Let kids be kids.......... Risk is around every corner, but calculate it and control it and show kids a bit of excitement ........... I for one know that I don't want any of mine telling me in 20 years about Health and Safety or the dangers of modern living ............... I'd much rather watch them walking around with their kids on their shoulders, throwing their kids in the air or God forbid ........... Having their kids sit on their laps for a 20 yard drive in an empty car park while the kiddie loves every second of it!!!

Calm down!! Now, tell me about this 60 tonne Routemaster it must be one hell of a bus.

I've done this too - not often, but my boy loves pretending to drive. He sits on my lap in an empty - that's empty, no cars at all - car park, if we are out (I don't take him out specially), I put the seatbelt over us both, and he steers while I control the pedals.
...
And there to me is the crucial point - I'm in control of the two most important things, the accelerator and the brake. I've also got my hands poised and ready to grab the wheel, but before doing it, I've assessed the situation, and placed the car away from any walls, barriers or posts.
...
I certainly don't let him just sit on my lap and drive without actually thinking about whether it is safe for him to do so!
...
Now if this took place on a road, when other people are using it, then that's different.

PJR wrote:
I've done this too - not often, but my boy loves pretending to drive. He sits on my lap in an empty - that's empty, no cars at all - car park, if we are out (I don't take him out specially), I put the seatbelt over us both, and he steers while I control the pedals. ... And there to me is the crucial point - I'm in control of the two most important things, the accelerator and the brake. I've also got my hands poised and ready to grab the wheel, but before doing it, I've assessed the situation, and placed the car away from any walls, barriers or posts. ... I certainly don't let him just sit on my lap and drive without actually thinking about whether it is safe for him to do so! ... Now if this took place on a road, when other people are using it, then that's different.

My point exactly....

I also done this once with the entire cast of Time Bandits, they cant reach the pedals you know!!

Only £35 to add them to my insurance as well, third party higher and theft!!!

still man danger invovled.

simpley let a child incontrol of a car he got caught he got fine which is the right thing to happen case dealt with

Baker_Boy wrote:
still man danger invovled. simpley let a child incontrol of a car he got caught he got fine which is the right thing to happen case dealt with

Are you at the end of a long line of chinese whispers when you type?

Essexbloke, did getting stunned addle your brain? You are astounded at the Echo covering this story and the comment it brought forward then break all records in the length of your comment! At least you seem to respect the law!

I believe respect for the law is the most essential element of a civilised society. By all means work to change such laws as you disagree with but NEVER selectively disregard them or anarchy will rule!