Question Is it ever legal to have a child ride on your lap while driving?

[Cristina]

Having an interesting FB debate and I thought you all might know about laws regarding this.
Is there any circumstance when it is not illegal to have a child riding on your lap while you drive?

 

[Victorious4]

In countries without seatbelt laws?

When your lives are in immediate danger from a violent predator? (ex: I was targetted by a group of racists at a park, chasing us, making horrific threats against me & my baby - I barely made it into my car safely, drove unbuckled to the police station wearing her in the sling & they didn't charge me for my reckless parking either as it was obvious I was extremely frightened for our lives).

I'm not sure if an injury would be excused in certain states since an ambulance would be a wiser option.

 

[Cristina]

No immediate danger, just for fun and a better view, and in a US state
I know buses and taxis are exempt...
But are there any circumstances when it would be legal in your own personal car?
Also, does public vs. private property make a difference?

 

[christineka]

In the state of Utah, if you have more people than seatbelts, it is legal to put the rest of the people wherever in the vehicle. If I want to take my whole family out in the civic, it is perfectly legal for dh, myself, and three of my favorite kids to ride in seatbelts. The other three can legally ride on anyone's laps or on the floor.

 

[DahliaRW]

In some states if all the belts in the vehicle are in use it is legal to have an unrestrained passenger.

 

[Cristina]

a 2 1/2 year old riding on the driver's lap while driving at 10mph. No seatbelts Plenty of room left in the minivan and her seat installed in a proper place in the back seat. 2 1/2 year old allowed to sit on driver's lap for fun and for a better view.
legal?

 

[LISmama810]

Taxis are not always exempt. Depends on the state.

a 2 1/2 year old riding on the driver's lap while driving at 10mph. No seatbelts Plenty of room left in the minivan and her seat installed in a proper place in the back seat. 2 1/2 year old allowed to sit on driver's lap for fun and for a better view.
legal?

Possibly on private property.

Whether or not its legal, it's not smart.

 

[carseatcoach]

In some states, it is legal to nurse while driving. It is also horribly reckless.

 

[T4K]

In some states, it is legal to nurse while driving. It is also horribly reckless.

Ahhh...road boob.

 

[Cristina]

In some states, it is legal to nurse while driving. It is also horribly reckless.

for real? that is crazy!

 

[Baylor]

Aren't somethings just no brainers??

 

[TerisBoys]

Aren't somethings just no brainers??

When Josh was a baby, I had a work acquaintance brag about nursing her toddler while driving through the S-curves in Grand Rapids, MI.


The S-curves are a roughly 3 mile stretch of freeway running through the busiest city on this side of the state. Multiple on/off ramps from both sides, tight curves, 3-4 lanes of traffic traveling each way.


She had an MBA in business. She wasn't a dumb lady. It was legal, so it was ok in her eyes.

 

[Baylor]

Sometimes common sense has nothing to do with smart. I guess I don't equate the two. I may not be a rocket scientist but even my pea brain can see the risk of not having a kid in a car seat in a moving car.

 

[LISmama810]

Didn't Michigan get rid of the breastfeeding exemption? What other states allow it? (I seem to remember there were a couple.)

 

[BookMama]

Didn't Michigan get rid of the breastfeeding exemption?

Yep! :thumbsup:

 

[Baylor]

I gotta tell you, I love nursing my kids. Nursed my first 2 til they were well over a year and never had the need to nurse while riding in a car. I just always pulled over.

 

[bethng]

a 2 1/2 year old riding on the driver's lap while driving at 10mph. No seatbelts Plenty of room left in the minivan and her seat installed in a proper place in the back seat. 2 1/2 year old allowed to sit on driver's lap for fun and for a better view.
legal?

dang, were you at my school the other day? 3 year old lap riding kid is back to "driving" on her moms lap despite the ticket she got.

 

[TerisBoys]

Didn't Michigan get rid of the breastfeeding exemption? What other states allow it? (I seem to remember there were a couple.)

Thankfully, yes. 14 years ago it was still legal, however.

 

[wendytthomas]

NC *just* (2007) got rid of the "to meet their needs" clause. With that clause it was legal to remove your kids from their seats "to meet their needs". So yes, it was completely legal to drive down the road nursing your baby in your lap.

Completely and utter facepalm. So glad it's gone.

Wendy

 

[Defrost]

We're still working on it here in Idaho.