How many of you have noticed the phenmenon where many parents install baby seats on the rear offside seat of the car, so that when they are adjusting it, or installing/removing the fruit of their loins, they stick their a**e out into the middle of a busy road, leaving the door wide open at the same time? These procedures usually takes several minutes and these people seem oblivious of other traffic on frequently narrow roads.
Can anyone explain why these students of Health and safety don't fit the seat on the rear nearside seat?:confused:

More than one child perhaps?

At least they are strapping them in though - it's very scary seeing kids in cars not strapped in at all. I don't know how people can be so irresponsible to do that.

Many have only the one seat. Kiddies seats are worst offenders but drivers do the same thing with brief cases, shopping and all sorts of other things.
I'm thinking of developing a technique for clipping their a**e with my wing mirror!

I have two children and quite often look after another. Personally I don't care how long I make other drivers wait it if means making sure they are safe.
I do try and wait until there is no traffic around before I start. If cars come along....tough.

Their safety is more important than an impatient driver.

Slightly off the subject, something that irritates me is people parking in parent and child spaces with no children. Trying to deal with small children especially when it rains just because some , generally male, lazy person can't see past their noses. I enjoy telling them they have left something behind if I see them return then point out it's a child.

Is the size of the a***s in question a problem to you, Ned? Or is it just the placement of the a***s?


Susie, clarify!

Size is quite immaterial to me, it's definately the placement. It so happens that these people don't crouch on their haunches but bend at the waist, thrusting their buttocks skywards with a gay abandon that serves to make their rears' look 3 times larger than normal. Would they do this in Italy? I think not.
It's the fact that it's one more illustration of the way that some think the world revolves around them and that eveyone else should adjust to accommodate them at all times
I could include pedestrians who cross the road (Walkman clapped to bonce) without looking, especially when they cut diagonally across a junction and there's the motorists who just fling their door open into the road without checking the mirror, or who pull away from the kerb without signalling/using the mirror.
I'm not banging on about folks with two chairs in the back but a lot of people put a single seat on the offside. I suspect they are too lazy to walk around the car from the driver's side and if people insist on doing this they should be made to wear flourescent yellow trousers as a punishment!

I'm not failing to see the hilarity of your post but another reason for the seat question could be this.

If the person has only one child then perhaps they prefer the child to be in view of them thus placing them in the other side. I did this when I only had one child so that I could see they were ok at all times.

Perhaps when you have children of your own you will understand, if you have not already.

Originally posted by bonny
I have two children and quite often look after another. Personally I don't care how long I make other drivers wait it if means making sure they are safe.
I do try and wait until there is no traffic around before I start. If cars come along....tough.

Their safety is more important than an impatient driver.

Slightly off the subject, something that irritates me is people parking in parent and child spaces with no children. Trying to deal with small children especially when it rains just because some , generally male, lazy person can't see past their noses. I enjoy telling them they have left something behind if I see them return then point out it's a child.


Could it be because of this not caring how long other drivers have to wait which makes them not care about parking in parent and child spots (without the child tho!)

As for the parent and child parking spaces, there clearly isnt enough of them to satisfy demand at certain times of the day.

I am tired of parents and their brats parking in their MPV's very close to my car in a normal spot then throwing their doors open into my car. its not cheap to repair, so now I park as far away as I can from other cars where possible. Cant afford the £60 every time I get a sodding dent (which is usually because somebody can't control their kids opening the doors).

I am speaking from experience - I took my old car shopping and on the way out spotted a Renault Scenic thowing its rear doors open, hitting my car hard enough to set the alarm off. Had a word with the parents who clearly couldnt have cared less.

If their safety is paramount (which i agree should be the case) maybe you should think about your own in the process incase one of these impatient drivers comes along and knocks you down in the middle of the road. You have every right (infact are bound to do so) in keeping your kids safely strapped in, but not at the expense of other drivers on the road.

Aside from all that, how many folks in here are also sick of parents taking their kids to a place like B&Q and letting them run amock whilst theyr choose paint or door handles or something? Why the hell do they need to be there? There are fork lifts, heavy trollys and generally unsafe items around, but should anything happen they will be the first to complain. How about either keeping them in check or not taking them there full stop.

Anybody know what the maximum age of the child is before the parent with child parking spaces become inapplicable?

Of course, it's always the stupid fat people that do this isn't it?

People who conform to society's 'normal size' status have far too much intelligence to even contemplate being so inconsiderate by ensuring the safety of their offspring.

I once waited patiently whilst some numb-skull placed her kiddie in its pushchair (fag in gob) on the offside of the car on Moonshine Lane.

"I know, I'll make sure little Angelica is safely fastened in during the journey, then when we get there I'll stand in the middle of the road and put her in her pram."

I didn't swear, I didn't toot my horn, but I hope she wasn't a mind reader. :loopy:

Originally posted by markham
Anybody know what the maximum age of the child is before the parent with child parking spaces become inapplicable?
Mine are 24 and 28 but feel entitled to use the designated spaces as they are still kids! It also doesn't state that you have to be in the company of your kids either so I reckon you can use the spaces even if you have left them at home! :) Well I do if it's p*****g down, it's late and most of 'em are empty. I had enough of tekkin down to Tesco's with a kid and buggy on the bus and coming away with the same and 4 bags of shopping in the past.
I'm not sure that fit parents are any more deserving than the over 70's though, when it comes to priority parking and if Safweway are prepared to cover the section of car park closest to the main doors, why should the customers parked the furthest away get soaking wet?

Originally posted by bonny
Personally I don't care how long I make other drivers wait it if means making sure they are safe.
I do try and wait until there is no traffic around before I start. If cars come along....tough.

There are too many inconsiderate people with your atitude on todays roads, couldnt care less about other people. You must be well aware of the danger because you say "If cars come along....tough"

Would you still have the same atitude when you get hit by a car ?

Dont you realise that being hit by a car actually hurts or can be fatal ?

All its needs is a driver to be distracted and not see you leaning into your car or a joyrider screaming down the streets. I realise that your kids welfare are paramount, but what good will that be if you are critically ill in hospital or even worse .... killed.

It's even more inconsiderate no not see someone and knock them over to be fair.

Mine are 24 and 28 but feel entitled to use the designated spaces as they are still kids!

Lol I'm 17 and up until last year we used the Parent/baby at the Asda carpark!!! We don't anymore now, but my Dad likes to park on the end of a row, or a bit out of the way because there's always some dozy plonker who can't get out of the car without scraping someone elses car... Also, not everyone can park straight, I've seen cars parked at an angle, whereby its amost impossible for the driver of the car beside them to get back in! I think parking spaces should just be bigger to start off with... It makes it easier to park into (come on, I'm a female learner driver!!) and also it stops other people damaging your car... and makes it easier for parents&todlers / disabled ppl :)

Originally posted by mega_monty
There are too many inconsiderate people with your atitude on todays roads, couldnt care less about other people. You must be well aware of the danger because you say "If cars come along....tough"

Would you still have the same atitude when you get hit by a car ?

Dont you realise that being hit by a car actually hurts or can be fatal ?

All its needs is a driver to be distracted and not see you leaning into your car or a joyrider screaming down the streets. I realise that your kids welfare are paramount, but what good will that be if you are critically ill in hospital or even worse .... killed.
http://www.highwaycode.gov.uk/16.shtml

I think that you will find that the person already in the road (pedestrian) has the right of way. The driver is the one that should take responsibility to avoid them. Like I said earlier, I try to do this when there are no cars around if a car comes along do you really expect me to jump out of the way and leave a child/baby half fastened in or spend longer trying to get them in and out every few seconds.

Come back to me when you are a parent/caring parent.

Originally posted by bonny
http://www.highwaycode.gov.uk/16.shtml

I think that you will find that the person already in the road (pedestrian) has the right of way. The driver is the one that should take responsibility to avoid them. Like I said earlier, I try to do this when there are no cars around if a car comes along do you really expect me to jump out of the way and leave a child/baby half fastened in or spend longer trying to get them in and out every few seconds.

Come back to me when you are a parent/caring parent.

The rule quoted here is regarding pedestrians crossing at junctions and walking on roads,facing oncoming traffic. Technically loading a vehicle your not a pedestrian. Its all fine and dandy saying the driver is the one that should take responsibility to avoid you, but the fact is that you are putting yourself and others in danger and should take responsibility for you own safety and actions.

Surely isnt it much safer to load / unload your children into the car on the side next to the kerb, in doing so you will educate them about the dangers of the roads. This is also mentioned in the highway code www.highwaycode.gov.uk/22.shtm

Finally, how do you know im not already a parent/caring parent ?
Why do you need to be a parent/caring parent to have consideration for others and apply a little common sense.

Originally posted by mega_monty
The rule quoted here is regarding pedestrians crossing at junctions and walking on roads,facing oncoming traffic. Technically loading a vehicle your not a pedestrian. Its all fine and dandy saying the driver is the one that should take responsibility to avoid you, but the fact is that you are putting yourself and others in danger and should take responsibility for you own safety and actions.

Surely isnt it much safer to load / unload your children into the car on the side next to the kerb, in doing so you will educate them about the dangers of the roads. This is also mentioned in the highway code www.highwaycode.gov.uk/22.shtm

Finally, how do you know im not already a parent/caring parent ?
Why do you need to be a parent/caring parent to have consideration for others and apply a little common sense.


I know you are not a parent it's quite easily to tell from your statements.

Pedestrians = on foot

In urban areas there is a risk of pedestrians, especially children, stepping unexpectedly into the road. You should drive with the safety of children in mind at a speed suitable for the conditions.

Drive carefully and slowly when
in crowded shopping streets or residential areas
driving past bus and tram stops; pedestrians may emerge suddenly into the road
passing parked vehicles, especially ice cream vans; children are more interested in ice cream than traffic and may run into the road unexpectedly
needing to cross a pavement; for example, to reach a driveway. Give way to pedestrians on the pavement
reversing into a side road; look all around the vehicle and give way to any pedestrians who may be crossing the road
turning at road junctions; give way to pedestrians who are already crossing the road into which you are turning
the pavement is closed due to street repairs and pedestrians are directed to use the road.



Watch out for children in busy areas


Particularly vulnerable pedestrians. These include
children and elderly pedestrians who may not be able to judge your speed and could step into the road in front of you. At 40 mph your vehicle will probably kill any pedestrians it hits. At 20 mph there is only a 1 in 20 chance of the pedestrian being killed. So kill your speed
elderly pedestrians who may need more time to cross the road. Be patient and allow them to cross in their own time. Do not hurry them by revving your engine or edging forward
blind and partially sighted people who may be carrying a white cane (white with a red band for deaf and blind people) or using a guide dog
people with disabilities. Those with hearing problems may not be aware of your vehicle approaching. Those with walking difficulties require more time.

I don't have children, chose not to have them, so I don't appreciate having other peoples children thrust into my space.
Don't get me wrong, I don't dislike kids, just incosiderate parents/guardians.
I have 2 dogs, they're my babies, but mine alone. They don't interfere with other people in any way.:rolleyes:

Originally posted by bonny
I know you are not a parent it's quite easily to tell from your statements.

Pedestrians = on foot

In urban areas there is a risk of pedestrians, especially children, stepping unexpectedly into the road. You should drive with the safety of children in mind at a speed suitable for the conditions.

Drive carefully and slowly when
in crowded shopping streets or residential areas
driving past bus and tram stops; pedestrians may emerge suddenly into the road
passing parked vehicles, especially ice cream vans; children are more interested in ice cream than traffic and may run into the road unexpectedly
needing to cross a pavement; for example, to reach a driveway. Give way to pedestrians on the pavement
reversing into a side road; look all around the vehicle and give way to any pedestrians who may be crossing the road
turning at road junctions; give way to pedestrians who are already crossing the road into which you are turning
the pavement is closed due to street repairs and pedestrians are directed to use the road.



Watch out for children in busy areas


Particularly vulnerable pedestrians. These include
children and elderly pedestrians who may not be able to judge your speed and could step into the road in front of you. At 40 mph your vehicle will probably kill any pedestrians it hits. At 20 mph there is only a 1 in 20 chance of the pedestrian being killed. So kill your speed
elderly pedestrians who may need more time to cross the road. Be patient and allow them to cross in their own time. Do not hurry them by revving your engine or edging forward
blind and partially sighted people who may be carrying a white cane (white with a red band for deaf and blind people) or using a guide dog
people with disabilities. Those with hearing problems may not be aware of your vehicle approaching. Those with walking difficulties require more time.


And how does any of this relate to you being stood on the highway putting your kids in the car, and holding up traffic if it came along?

I dont see where it says pay attention and stop for the person who thinks its okay to load their offspring into a car on a highway.

Originally posted by 1Man&hisBMW
And how does any of this relate to you being stood on the highway putting your kids in the car, and holding up traffic if it came along?

I dont see where it says pay attention and stop for the person who thinks its okay to load their offspring into a car on a highway.

Then read again.

n urban areas there is a risk of pedestrians, especially children, stepping unexpectedly into the road. You should drive with the safety of children in mind at a speed suitable for the conditions.

Drive carefully and slowly when
in crowded shopping streets or residential areas
driving past bus and tram stops; pedestrians may emerge suddenly into the road
passing parked vehicles, especially ice cream vans; children are more interested in ice cream than traffic and may run into the road unexpectedly
needing to cross a pavement; for example, to reach a driveway. Give way to pedestrians on the pavement
END QUOTE


If both parties takes care to avoid accidents then there shouldn't be any.

Quite honestly someone in a rush who doesn't have any concern for parents making their children safe isn't a person who has a particularly caring attitude to others especially children.

As for coming back at me with the "oh you don't care about me driving" SLOW DOWN or wait a few seconds. I'm sure that if you had children in your car, or I hope, you would be more understanding and less selfish.

Originally posted by bonny
Then read again.

n urban areas there is a risk of pedestrians, especially children, stepping unexpectedly into the road. You should drive with the safety of children in mind at a speed suitable for the conditions.

Drive carefully and slowly when
in crowded shopping streets or residential areas
driving past bus and tram stops; pedestrians may emerge suddenly into the road
passing parked vehicles, especially ice cream vans; children are more interested in ice cream than traffic and may run into the road unexpectedly
needing to cross a pavement; for example, to reach a driveway. Give way to pedestrians on the pavement
END QUOTE


If both parties takes care to avoid accidents then there shouldn't be any.

Quite honestly someone in a rush who doesn't have any concern for parents making their children safe isn't a person who has a particularly caring attitude to others especially children.

As for coming back at me with the "oh you don't care about me driving" SLOW DOWN or wait a few seconds. I'm sure that if you had children in your car, or I hope, you would be more understanding and less selfish.

Again, I ask where is the bit that refers to 'pedestrians' who are strapping their kids into the car on the off side stood on the carriageway to be given way?

I think you are bending that the rules actually say there, it says people stepping out, not people loading up their kids into the car which is what this thread is about.

You talk about both parties avoiding accidents, well drivers have speed limits, and cautionary notes - so why cat parents strapping their kids in do it from the near side and hence contribute towards oad safety if that the case.

If selfish is the case, you stated clearly your dont care if a driver has to wait - what if they are in an emergency situation aswell, such as taking their pregnant missus to the hospital, which incidentally is also looking out for their child.

Sad thing is these days people think its one rule of them and another for everyone else.

Originally posted by 1Man&hisBMW

You talk about both parties avoiding accidents, well drivers have speed limits, and cautionary notes - so why cat parents strapping their kids in do it from the near side and hence contribute towards oad safety if that the case.


Sad thing is these days people think its one rule of them and another for everyone else.

I think I have already mentioned that I have 2 children and sometimes 3 so strapping them to the near side isn't applicable.

Alos it doesn't say anywhere in the highway code that not taking precautions if you have an pregnant woman in the car is ok. So who's bending the rules now.

I agree with your last point.

Originally posted by Ned Ludd
I'm not sure that fit parents are any more deserving than the over 70's though, when it comes to priority parking and if Safweway are prepared to cover the section of car park closest to the main doors, why should the customers parked the furthest away get soaking wet?

Perhaps if 'parent and child' spaces were put at the far end of the car park it would help reduce the child obesity problem?

In fact... you could take it a stage further... get children to WALK places instead of running them around in the car :loopy: :thumbsup:

Originally posted by bonny
I think I have already mentioned that I have 2 children and sometimes 3 so strapping them to the near side isn't applicable.

Alos it doesn't say anywhere in the highway code that not taking precautions if you have an pregnant woman in the car is ok. So who's bending the rules now.

I agree with your last point.


Again, completely misunderstood what I wrote.

If you do use the offside to strap them in, do so in a manner which doesnt affect other drivers, or cause an obstruction.

What I am saying is the precautions you are stating doesnt cover your standing on the highway to put kids in the car - the code you point out refers to pedestrians (yes those on foot, who are crossing, or passing over the carriageway and not necessarily stood on it loading) Questions is, when is a pedestrian not a pedestrian? Maybe when they are a motorist loading their vehicle?

I wasnt bending any rules at all, it was merely a scenario, that a vehicle that you obstruct or cause to wait could easily be an ambulance or another driver on the road in an emergency. An emergency is just that, and in most cases if the boys in blue pull you over in such a case they are usually sypathetic and would even escort you to the hospital etc.

I dont know what to make of what you are saying - when you are in the car your are a motorist, and when loading your car you are a pedestrian stood on the highway? :confused:

Does that mean if I break down on the M1 - and I do as the code suggests and get out of my car and stand to the side I become a pedestrian which effectively makes me liable to be comitting an offence (walking on the Motorway)??? ;)

I have to disagree on principle with you bonny.

Surely it is encumbant on the 'baby loader' to protect themselves and their offspring if they are in any way responsible.

Of course drivers have a permanant duty of care on the roads, but as a driver you should also be careful where you park your car so you don't put yourself and/or child in danger or inconveniece other road users - even if that means parking somewhere else.

There is ALWAYS somewhere else to park.

I had another example of this penomenon yesterday. (not child related) A woman was leaning right inside the drivers door of her people carrier, which she had parked on a bend, to an extent that whatever she was groppling with had to be on the passenger's side anyway. I had to give her a dangerously wide berth going on the "wrong" side of the road on a fairly sharp curve. I should have clipped her bum with my wing mirror to teach her a lesson!

Originally posted by Tony
I have to disagree on principle with you bonny.

Surely it is encumbant on the 'baby loader' to protect themselves and their offspring if they are in any way responsible.

Of course drivers have a permanant duty of care on the roads, but as a driver you should also be careful where you park your car so you don't put yourself and/or child in danger or inconveniece other road users - even if that means parking somewhere else.

There is ALWAYS somewhere else to park.

If I park outside my house though am I still going to upset someone? As this is where I usually do my car seat arrangements.

Originally posted by 1Man&hisBMW
Again, completely misunderstood what I wrote.
Questions is, when is a pedestrian not a pedestrian? Maybe when they are a motorist loading their vehicle?


As I have mentioned previously, when you are loading a vehicle parked at the roadside and whilst in possession of the keys, technically you are not a pedestrian, you are classed as being in charge of a motor vehicle

Originally posted by 1Man&hisBMW
If selfish is the case, you stated clearly your dont care if a driver has to wait - what if they are in an emergency situation aswell, such as taking their pregnant missus to the hospital

A driver in an emergency situation could well be the emergency services (Ambulance, Police or Fire) im sure they will not wait until someone has finished loading thier kids into the car.

Originally posted by bonny
Quite honestly someone in a rush who doesn't have any concern for parents making their children safe isn't a person who has a particularly caring attitude to others especially children.
Again your passing your responsibility onto someone else, its your OWN responsibility to ensure your children are loaded safely in to the car. How can a person putting themself and children in danger have a caring attitude to children ? If people wasnt caring about children, then they wouldnt be concerned by your actions and wouldnt have made comment.

In an ideal world we would all abide the highway code, park in safe situations, but that doesnt happen, you can quote all you like from the highway code, but it doesnt alter the fact that you cant assume rules will be followed or obayed, the top and bottom is you are still putting yourself and children in danger. Is this classed as being an irresponsible parent ?