PW: Seatbelt negligence issue

Excitedtostart

Since BGG's post this morning drew a lot of discussion, I'd like to ask the same question about a similar scenario:

Family of 7, 2 adults & 5 children involved in a high speed one car rollover car accident. Children are 6 months - 8 years old. they were traveling in a small car that seats 5. Evidence on scene suggests that there were no seat belts in use, and no car seats / booster seats to be found. One child died on scene, everyone else was injured fairly severely. 

Do you prosecute the adults? For what and why? 

https://denver.cbslocal.com/2011/06/08/california-family-involved-in-deadly-i-70-accident/

 

mrs_kelly1014

Yes. Child endangerment (although, I'll admit to knowing nothing about law and what they could actually pe charged with).

I think there should be incredibly severe consequences for parents/caregivers who do not restrain a child properly. And that should apply to all circumstances - forward facing before they hit the age/weight requirements, not in a car seat when still legally needed, same with booster, seatbelt, etc.

Along the same line, I think cops should be able to pull over cars with unrestrained/improperly restrained children and hit them with a HUGE citation. I honestly don't care what the reason is for not using a car seat/selt belt as there will never be a good enough excuse.

PubStar09

mrs_kelly1014:

Yes. Child endangerment (although, I'll admit to knowing nothing about law and what they could actually pe charged with).

I think there should be incredibly severe consequences for parents/caregivers who do not restrain a child properly. And that should apply to all circumstances - forward facing before they hit the age/weight requirements, not in a car seat when still legally needed, same with booster, seatbelt, etc.

Along the same line, I think cops should be able to pull over cars with unrestrained/improperly restrained children and hit them with a HUGE citation. I honestly don't care what the reason is for not using a car seat/selt belt as there will never be a good enough excuse.

 

roshybride

mrs_kelly1014:

Yes. Child endangerment (although, I'll admit to knowing nothing about law and what they could actually pe charged with).

I think there should be incredibly severe consequences for parents/caregivers who do not restrain a child properly. And that should apply to all circumstances - forward facing before they hit the age/weight requirements, not in a car seat when still legally needed, same with booster, seatbelt, etc.

Along the same line, I think cops should be able to pull over cars with unrestrained/improperly restrained children and hit them with a HUGE citation. I honestly don't care what the reason is for not using a car seat/selt belt as there will never be a good enough excuse.

In Wisconsin seatbelt violations are primary offenses and the cops can pull you over for unrestrained children.  The fine isn't very big though. $10 for people over 8 years old, $10-25 for kids 4-8, and $30-75 for kids under 4.

mrs_kelly1014

roshybride:

mrs_kelly1014:

Yes. Child endangerment (although, I'll admit to knowing nothing about law and what they could actually pe charged with).

I think there should be incredibly severe consequences for parents/caregivers who do not restrain a child properly. And that should apply to all circumstances - forward facing before they hit the age/weight requirements, not in a car seat when still legally needed, same with booster, seatbelt, etc.

Along the same line, I think cops should be able to pull over cars with unrestrained/improperly restrained children and hit them with a HUGE citation. I honestly don't care what the reason is for not using a car seat/selt belt as there will never be a good enough excuse.

In Wisconsin seatbelt violations are primary offenses and the cops can pull you over for unrestrained children.  The fine isn't very big though. $10 for people over 8 years old, $10-25 for kids 4-8, and $30-75 for kids under 4.

Wow, those fines are hardly anything at all - but at least they can be pulled over for it.

I think the fines should be in the 1000s, but that's just me.