Nanny State In The Isle Of Man?

[Cronky]

From Manx Radio:

 

http://www.manxradio.com/readItem.aspx?ID=8834&cate=General

 

Do we really need children up to the age of twelve to be strapped in to special child car seats? As I understand it this 'regulation' has been imposed by the EU after 'research' by Britax! Well, of course they would support car seats for older children wouldn't they?

 

We can sort our own child safety out thank you very much.

[Addie]

We can sort our own child safety out thank you very much.

You'll share your child's safety techiniques with us then?

[feelslikeitshould]

As far as I'm concerned, anything that saves a life/prevents serious harm isn't a bad thing. Especially with something so simple as providing a car seat. It was the same deal as with seat belts, when they were first put in cars very few people used them (there are still a few who don't) and people were still dying or becoming seriously injured needlessly. Sometimes people need a law and need it enforced for the good of society as a whole.

 

Booster seats raise the child so the beat fits as intended, across it's lap, when I strap my child into a car without a booster, the belt goes across his tummy just above his hips. The internal damage that can done in a collision by a belt fitting this way is easily avoided by providing something simple like a booster seat. Until all car manufactures fit adjustable seats in their cars, then booster seats are the way to go and I welcome any legislation that helps reduce needless, avoidable injury.

[Kodak747]

but what about kids on buses, planes, boats or in a taxi? shouldnt they have seats there then, they are all just as dangerous

[stookie]

Nanny state definitely. The old argument "anything that improves safety" blah, blah, blah isn't valid. Not going in a car would infinitely improve road safety, but that's just silly.

 

We could all be driving Volvos or bl**dy Land Rover Wobblies/Discoveries with rubbish brakes and, guess what, there will still be people injured in car accidents.

 

Prevention is better than cure and if you think you are the kind of driver that is constantly at risk of an accident, then maybe you should take some lessons. Who could argue that wouldn't be in the interests of safety?

[feelslikeitshould]

Nanny state definitely. The old argument "anything that improves safety" blah, blah, blah isn't valid. Not going in a car would infinitely improve road safety, but that's just silly.

 

We could all be driving Volvos or bl**dy Land Rover Wobblies/Discoveries with rubbish brakes and, guess what, there will still be people injured in car accidents.

 

Prevention is better than cure and if you think you are the kind of driver that is constantly at risk of an accident, then maybe you should take some lessons. Who could argue that wouldn't be in the interests of safety?

 

No-one is disputing that people will stop getting injured in car accidents. It's all about reducing/preventing the seriousness of the injury and maybe even death. Stookie, do you wear a seatbelt? If so, you must really doubt you're own driving skills, maybe you should book yourself in for a retest. It's not always that simple though is it, there are other road users too and you can't always account for their actions or be sure that they are as responsible or competent as you.

 

Do you even have children? Are you willing to put them at an increased risk of sustaining an injury in a crash just because you don't think there's any need for a booster seat?

[stookie]

 

No-one is disputing that people will stop getting injured in car accidents. It's all about reducing/preventing the seriousness of the injury and maybe even death. Stookie, do you wear a seatbelt? If so, you must really doubt you're own driving skills, maybe you should book yourself in for a retest. It's not always that simple though is it, there are other road users too and you can't always account for their actions or be sure that they are as responsible or competent as you.

 

Do you even have children? Are you willing to put them at an increased risk of sustaining an injury in a crash just because you don't think there's any need for a booster seat?

 

I have grandchildren and always wear a seat belt as a) it's the law and I don't want to give the police any more reasons to stop me than they might already think they have, and b ) it helps keep me snug in the driver's seat. The rest I prefer to take responsibility for by constantly looking at ways to improve my driving as well as basics that I assume everyone does like maintaining the car in tiptop condition, having my eyesight checked regularly (so I can see that all my lights are working!), keeping my ageing joints as flexible as possible, etc.

 

But we live in an Island that doesn't even test most cars for roadworthiness

 

Prevention is better than cure as I've already said

[TrueBlue]

but what about kids on buses, planes, boats or in a taxi? shouldnt they have seats there then, they are all just as dangerous

 

It would appear that if in a taxi then the child will continue to use the ordinary seatbelt, unless you take your own booster seat with you. mmmmm, really practical if you are getting a taxi into town to do some shopping, carry the seat around all day !!!

 

Link

[mojomonkey]

I don't see the problem here. I don't have kids but I'm sure I'd rather they were strapped in in the event of a car crash. Kids and windscreens don't make a good mix.

[WilDDog]

I don't see the problem here either, like someone else wrote anything that reduces the seriousness of an injury and prevents death has got to be a good thing.

[Gladys]

Of course anyone would want to see measures to improve safety, but I do not understand how a booster seat will help. The lap strap will always be across the tummy until kids have grown enough for their hips to take the brunt, unless it can not only elevate the child but also put the main force over its thighs.

 

Don't know, I'm undecided on this one as I believe the worst threat is the chest strap which no booster seat that I have seen has ever removed the potential for breaking necks and jaws. May be better to install chest strap adjustable seat belts in new cars?

[mojomonkey]

Of course anyone would want to see measures to improve safety, but I do not understand how a booster seat will help. The lap strap will always be across the tummy until kids have grown enough for their hips to take the brunt, unless it can not only elevate the child but also put the main force over its thighs.

 

Don't know, I'm undecided on this one as I believe the worst threat is the chest strap which no booster seat that I have seen has ever removed the potential for breaking necks and jaws. May be better to install chest strap adjustable seat belts in new cars?

 

Can't say I'm a specialist on human anatomy but I would suggest that a broken something is preferable to decapitation.

[Gladys]

Couldn't agree more, Mojo.

[Celt]

I'm with Mojo and the guy with the long name.

 

I work in the building trade and would strap in £400 worth of timber or glass or anything for example.

 

So why wouldn't i strap in something more precious?

[ramsea]

 

No-one is disputing that people will stop getting injured in car accidents. It's all about reducing/preventing the seriousness of the injury and maybe even death. Stookie, do you wear a seatbelt? If so, you must really doubt you're own driving skills, maybe you should book yourself in for a retest. It's not always that simple though is it, there are other road users too and you can't always account for their actions or be sure that they are as responsible or competent as you.

 

Do you even have children? Are you willing to put them at an increased risk of sustaining an injury in a crash just because you don't think there's any need for a booster seat?

 

I have grandchildren and always wear a seat belt as a) it's the law and I don't want to give the police any more reasons to stop me than they might already think they have, and b ) it helps keep me snug in the driver's seat. The rest I prefer to take responsibility for by constantly looking at ways to improve my driving as well as basics that I assume everyone does like maintaining the car in tiptop condition, having my eyesight checked regularly (so I can see that all my lights are working!), keeping my ageing joints as flexible as possible, etc.

 

But we live in an Island that doesn't even test most cars for roadworthiness

 

Prevention is better than cure as I've already said

 

So you only put seatbelts on your grandchildren cos its the law? Glad you aint looking after my kids.

 

Of course anyone would want to see measures to improve safety, but I do not understand how a booster seat will help. The lap strap will always be across the tummy until kids have grown enough for their hips to take the brunt, unless it can not only elevate the child but also put the main force over its thighs.

 

Don't know, I'm undecided on this one as I believe the worst threat is the chest strap which no booster seat that I have seen has ever removed the potential for breaking necks and jaws. May be better to install chest strap adjustable seat belts in new cars?

 

Every child car seat I have seen, even the cheap ones have some sort of device which lowers the chest strap so its not across the child's neck.

 

Kids will always be more vunerable than adults in a car so anything that can help to prevent their injury or death should be welcomed.

 

And whoever was talking about carrying one around for taxi's...dont you think the taxi firms would have them in their cars as standard if it were the law?