Can kids unbuckle for a little bit on a long car trip?

Question

We have a van with a bed in the back and we are planning to go on a long trip this spring to Florida. Is it okay to let the kids (we have three all under 10,unbuckle and strech out and maybe sleep on the little matress in the back? They hate wearing the seatbelts for a really long time, but we have to go on this trip and I can't imagine listening to them complain all the way there. My husband is a really good driver, too.

Answer 1

Is this a serious question? Are you kidding?

Why are people like you allowed to breed for God's sake!

Your kids are counting on you to protect them. Be a parent, NOT a friend.

Keep them in the d**n seatbelt.

Answer 2

they have to be buckled in.  Stop frequently to let them out of the van to stretch out run around a bit.  

Get some of those little DVD players and their favorite DVDs.  It will help pass the time and distract them.

Answer 3

my husband's a great driver, too, but that wasn't much help when the drunk hit-and-run driver slammed into the back of our car when traffic slowed for construction on a highway.  

fortunately, my 1-year-old was in her car seat and was safe.  the car, however, was totalled, and there is no doubt in my mind that the carseat saved her life.

seatbelts should be nonnegotiable.  always.

Answer 4

You are likely going to have to make a lot of stops because it is never legal to unbuckle the kids while moving.  And the parents should also be buckled up to set an example for the children even if the law does not require it.  Nobody can sleep on the mattress while the vehicle is moving unless it also equipped with some kind of restraint system.

Answer 5

Doesn't sound like a good idea to me :(

If the kids start complaining, best thing is to stop the car and all get out, have a stretch, a drink, a toilet break and then go on your way.

If anything happened and you had to brake suddenly the kids would go flying.  Very dangerous.   It's not about whether the driver is capable or not either - an animal could run out onto the road in front of you, another car might swerve into your path.  

We give our kids books, paper and pencils and teach them to play "in the car" games like eye spy, or count all the red cars, then the white cars etc.  That really helps with the whining from the back seat.  Keep them occupied and they should be ok until it's time to stop and have a stretch.

Answer 6

No that would be illegal & unsafe. Honestly, even if the driver is the best in the world the other millions of people on the road may not be or the cars could malfunction. I would not take the risk.

I would just make lots of rest stops.

Answer 7

Doesn't matter how good of a driver your husband is it is still unsafe and there are bad drivers on the road too you know.  It is illegal for anybody under the age of 18 to ride in a moving vehicle without proper restraints.  If there was to be a car accident would their possible death or serious injury really be worth their comfort.  They will just have to complain or you take a chance of maybe losing your kids.  I know it is tempting to do the sleeping laying down in a van but it is illegal.

Answer 8

Im 18 and Ive traveled with my family to many states. Ive been to over half and many of those trip were driving.

Both my brother and I would occasionally take off our seatbelts for maybe 30 mins and move around a bit and stretch.

When we would sleep, we'd take them off and lay down.

If its for short periods of time, id say ok.

Answer 9

why would you want to put your childrens life at risk?

even if your hubby is a good driver, you never know what could happen.

Answer 10

absolutely not at all. even for a moment.

Just because your husband may be a really good driver doesnt mean that everyone else on the road who could hit you is. If you children need a nap, pull over. to allow them to be in a moving vehicle without a seatbelt is illegal regardless of what seat they are in and would be endangering their lives. anyone who says otherwise is an idiot.

Answer 11

NO it is never ok to unbuckle the kids unless you have stopped the car.

Your husband might be the best driver in the world but he is not the only driver on the road.

Play safe and keep them buckled.

Answer 12

Sure

its not like it critically puts them in danger

but if you want to keep em entertained buy them a portable dvd player and a couple of movies

Also, its not illegal for someone to be unbuckled in a back seat only in the driver or passenger seat

Answer 13

yes, they can... if you DON'T LOVE your children and you want them splattered all over the highway!!!  it's ok.  really.  my husband and the men and women he works with get paid to come and clean them up because parents 'just can't stand to hear them complain'......

my husband is a paramedic and has been in the rescue field for 15 years.  the only calls he has night mares about are the ones with children involved.  a resounding theme to these calls are the parents who were buckled in the front crying to the men that are bandaging their broken arms, but we just let them out of their seat belts for a minute... or we've never been in an accident before.

there's a first time for everything.

and are you as confident with everyone else's driving that will be on that road as you are your husband's?

a better solution would be to stop every couple hours and every body get out and stretch your legs.  walk around, throw a ball, spread a picnic blanket out and have a lunch break... or if at all possible, how about driving at night while the kids are asleep so you don't have to 'be bothered with them.'

(the magic number is 4 feet 9 inches tall, that's when they can safely ride without a booster.)

Answer 14

We've driven 3,000 miles to get to florida and we drove straight through without stopping over night. Our kids wore their seat belts and slept in their seats. Give them lots of pillows so they can comfortably prop their heads and arms, as well as some blankets. They'll be fine. Don't let them lay around without a seat belt.

Answer 15

In my books, it is NEVER ok to let them out of their car seats. I would ignore the complaining, because you are in charge of their  safety. I would bring the kids stuff to do, and if they unbuckle their seat belts, you pull over. I don't care how long it takes, they NEED to learn this. NEVER back down. You need to be the parent. They are NOT the boss, you are.

Answer 16

Just think of where you want your kids to be when a drunk driver runs a stop sign and smashes into you.  This is what happened to me and my husband once.  We were driving the right speed and we had the right away, but it doesn't matter when other people around you are not following the rules.  We will sometimes recline the seats a little bit for the kids so they can sleep but it is against the law to have them back too far because the seat belt cannot protect them properly.  You should buy a DVD player for your van.  We have to make long trips at Christmas time and they are so much easier since we have the DVD player.  We can go 7 hours and only hear a peep out of the kids when they have to stop to go pee =)  It is an excellent investment.