Im writing an article at the moment on getting children to read which will be posted in the next few days/weeks. Watch this space

My friend Jo (who is also a medical professional) and I recently went to visit a friend of ours with the intention to take her out for lunch.

The friend we were visiting was 21 weeks pregnant at the time and had invited another friend of ours and her four month old son to join us. We were discussing possible restaurants and times for our lunch date when it occurred to me that the mother of the four month old child possibly did not have her child’s car seat with her. She had been dropped off at our friend’s house and was unaware that we’d be going out for lunch when she arrived therefore it did not occur to her to remove the baby’s car seat from her partner’s car.

On discovering and confirming that the car seat was unavailable, Jo and I made it very clear that we would not be going for lunch and placing our friend’s four month old child in any danger. Neither of us felt even vaguely comfortable with the thought of driving with an infant who would not be secure in a comfortable, safe, tested and approved car seat. The thought of placing that small innocent baby at risk was unacceptable.

We were shocked and horrified when the mother or the child and our pregnant friend exclaimed that they were quite happy for the baby to sit on their laps and that it wasn’t a big deal that the car seat wasn’t available.

Clouded perception and naivety allow people to justify these sorts of decisions. People make these irrational decisions because they think that they’re good drivers or because they feel safe and comfortable with their friends and family’s driving but it is impossible to trust other drivers on the road.

We might feel comfortable with our own skills, reflexes and capabilities but how can we trust those of a driver who is applying make-up while they drive, talking on their cell phones while they drive and barely concentrating on the road. How can we believe that they have our (or even their own) safety and best interests at heart?

It may seem okay to travel with your child in the front passenger seat of your car or in the back without a seat belt or car seat because you’re only traveling a short distance but the reality is, accidents happen quickly and they happen close to home.

I know Michelle personally, she and Jo have worked on the road and in hospitals for many years and have been exposed to many horrific, traumatic accidents. These ladies have treated many young, innocent, badly injured children and negligent, over confident adults.

I have fortunately not been exposed to such trauma and tragedy but common sense prevents me from finding this sort of thing acceptable. Why would any parent who loves and cares for their child be prepared to place their young innocent offspring in danger by traveling with them in an unprotected manner? It’s too much for me to even consider let alone understand.

Hats off to Michelle, Jo and all the other passionate educators and caregivers out there who highlight these issues and make us aware of the dangers we potentially face and put ourselves in.

Prevention is better than cure …why place yourself and / or your loved ones in danger so that these professionals have to fight for your lives? Why not prevent the injuries and fatalities in the first place.

Buckle up and be safe.