Friday, 12 September 2008
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"Baby On Board" Signs
by Mama Koala
I have to admit, I wasn't sure what the point of the "Baby On Board" sign was at first. I'm not very observant with some things, and I don't remember seeing these signs much before I had a baby. Of course, I'm too chicken to tail or cut off other cars, so that might be why I never needed to give these signs much thought. Once Baby Koala was born and I had become pretty familiar with baby products, I started noticing these signs on cars more. I assumed that the sign was created to remind drivers to practice safe, non-aggressive driving and maybe even to encourage patience when someone in front is driving slower than you'd like.The one thing that I never considered was that the sign could be annoying or offensive to others. I read a comment on a blog this week that equated something that was really annoying to "those baby on board signs" and my initial reaction was, huh? I mean, it's not a political or religious statement, and I couldn't find anything offensive about it at first. So I decided to do a bit of reading online to see how others felt about these "safety" signs, and found this:
Like many things, the 'BABY ON BOARD' signs started off as a good thing and quickly became an annoying, gimmicky eyesore. The signs were originated in 1985 by a child-safety oriented company as a way of letting parents inform drivers around them that extra care should be taken to protect the small inhabitants within. Initially, the public reacted very favorably to the signs leading several other companies to begin marketing their own versions of the sign as well as alternative signs - it was these alternatives which would become their undoing.
In the early months of 1986, hundreds of different signs were popping up in car windows everywhere, ranging from safety warnings ('STUDENT DRIVER INSIDE') to pathetic sexual references ('IF THIS CAR IS ROCKIN' DON'T BOTHER KNOCKIN' '). Besides the annoying silliness which caused many fellow drivers to shake their heads, the signs also posed a safety hazard as owners often placed them in areas which obstructed the driver's view. As such, many states began to regulate the use and positioning of the signs within cars. By 1990, few drivers believed that anyone heeded them as a safety measure or as a source of humor and thus abandoned their use.
And this humorous "Grr to Cars with Baby On Board Signs" video:
Then there were forums and blog posts about how annoying "Baby On Board" signs are. A couple of the most thought-provoking comments I read (too bad I can't find the links now) were (totally para-phrasing here...) "It's offensive. Why is a baby's life more valuable than my loved one's?" and "Are they boasting about their fertility?" Hmm, I never thought about it that way. I can see where these people are coming from, and why the sign is offensive or annoying to some. But I guess my thinking is, a baby is helpless, gets startled more easily than the typical adult, and sometimes (often?) cries during car rides (major distraction for the driver)... so perhaps it's not a bad reminder to be more patient with drivers who have babies on board. But hey, I'm a mom, and I know how stressful it can be to drive with a baby on board.
That said, I've never gotten a "Baby On Board" sign for my car. I don't find it annoying at all, and I do drive with extra care when I see a car in front of me with that sign up. I never got one because I get distracted by stuff on the windows (I couldn't even get used to the peel-off film window shades, so now there's only one left on the passenger side), and I also heard that stick-on plastic signs or shades could come off during a car accident and cause harm to the passengers. So for me, a "Baby On Board" sign seemed to invite more danger than safety.
Have you ever considered sticking a "Baby On Board" sign on your car, and what did you decide and why? Do you think that these signs encourage safe driving, or do you find them to be annoying or offensive?
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Comments (31)
Also, Im sure that whiplash of sorts for an infant could almost be the equivalent for shaken baby syndrome. The neck muscles and all that are not formed to withstand as much at those younger ages. I think its really silly that these people think enough to get offended by these signs. People with the signs arent trying to say that others loved ones arent important. Those people should focus there annoyances on more important things. I dont have a sign, and I probably wouldnt get one with my next child. However, I never think anything negative when I see them. I just get really bumfuzzled with people who are so easily offended like that.
I have to admit, the signs bother me sometimes. Not because they are there, but because of what an old friend of mine said. She'd moved to another town, and found a group for pregnant women. They'd all gone shopping, and saw the Baby on Board sign. They all started squealing about how they HAD to get them so everyone that sees them will know they have a baby,especially the women who didn't, so they'd feel less special. One girl said that she'd be really excited to see someone she knew on the road, who'd see the sign. The person she was talking about can't have babies.
I try to remember that not all people are like this, but sometimes I still feel a little spark of annoyance when I see them, because babies aren't property to gloat about and I know that's all some of the people are doing. I don't intend to buy one when I have a baby.
I never considered getting one because I thought they were stupid. Like Willow Ann, I don't associate these signs with safety. I don't think the people who buy them are thinking about safety either. These are the type of people who have the My Child is an honor student bumper sticker.
I drive carefully no matter what. A baby on board sticker is not going to change that, I will treat the people in that car the same as I treat everyone else. I know how distracting driving with a baby is, but I think if you find it that distracting, you should avoid driving with a baby in the car. I am sure a lot of people will be pissed about that decision, but I could care less. If you get so distracted by your baby crying in the car, arrange so you can do errands without them.
I drive pretty carefully anyway and I don't treat drivers with the "baby on board" sign any differently than anyone else.
I do discriminate on who I let into the lane or whatever depending on if they drive an SUV or not and how full the SUV is...even though most of the time I just don't let people with SUVs in or let them out of someplace.
ANYWAY....I can see both sides of the argument.
The last one of these that I'd seen a few months ago was in the rear window of a Honda that pulled out infront of me when there was nobody on the road behind me. WTF? Was waiting 5 seconds really going to change your day? If you really care about your children, don't put a sign up in your car and don't drive like a jack@ss. Why am I supposed to care more about your snot-nosed brat than you do? D'uh.
I would find it interesting (even though I know it's not possible), if the police could pull the people with those signs over and check for properly installed carseats. I'd bet more than half were too busy licking that suction cup to read the directions on their carseat.
I'm not necessarily against "baby on board" signs, but it seems to me that some people use it as an excuse to drive like a moron. It's become a joke with my dad and I now, that when we see a car with a "baby on board" sign, we should probably stay clear of them, because they'll either almost crash into us, cut us off, or drive so erratically that we'll be in fits of laughter within 10 minutes.
@Erika_Steele@xanga - What's wrong with showing pride in something? We have a United States Navy sticker on our car, because I am VERY proud of my husband. When my kids are honor students, because I know they're going to be, I'll have one of those stickers.
I have 3 kids so I KNOW how distracting they can be, but I think I do a pretty good job of not letting it bother me. I couldn't imagine not taking my children to church or on a road trip home to visit family.
@FemmeMrbd08@xanga - I drive an SUV....there isn't a car out there that would fit 3 car seats and my stroller.
I don't think the signs are a bad idea. I've thought about doing bad things to stupid drivers (when my kids weren't with me, of course) and if I saw that sign I may have cooled down a little. I wouldn't slam on my breaks in front of someone, but I may have thought about it!
Also I bet the women that brag about fertility were still prgnant and didn't have the child yet....LOL
However it can be misleading if there is no baby on board but the sign is still attatched. Now if they were being used and/or abused for perks such as premier parking spots (like so many handicaped tags are nowadays) them I would have a problem with them. Cause who is to say that one life is more important than another that they receive any type of unneccessary perks. Does that make any sense?
Anyway, I like the signs and would probably get one if/when I have a baby.
I never really thought about the signs. I haven't seen one in ages.
However, I do have a few comments in regards to several of the comments made here.
There was a reference to someone who just 'drives safetly all the time'. That may be true for you, but not everyone out there does. And if a 'baby on board' sign will help to refocus them so they keep others on the road safe as well as themselves, then it's a good thing.
It IS mean if you are using it to rub infertility in someones face. Infertility is just a nasty situation and heartbreaking to those who are suffering.
The woman who said if you are distracted by your baby then you shouldn't drive with your baby? Um... have you never had your child just start fussing for no reason while in the car? It IS distracting. And not taking my child with me is just not an option. I am a SAHM and take my child everywhere. But even if I was a working mom, I would still have to take my child to daycare! Can't really leave the baby at home if you're transporting the baby somewhere. Your comment makes no sense.
And whoa.... the woman with SUV prejudice. Get a grip lady. There are several reasons to have an SUV when you have children. Being RUDE to someone on the road just because of the vehicle they drive is just perpetuating bad road behavior. I currently do not drive an SUV, but we plan to get one. My parents live almost 2 hours away. When we go to visit we typically stay overnight for a few nights. Taking all the baby gear plus our own ammenities does not leave a lot of passenger space. Plus, if we decide to have another child there is no way we could accomodate 2 kids and all the gear in our car. I'm wondering ... why you have such a prejudice against SUV's. Are you jealous?
The comment about the rescue situations. I had never thought of that... but it is a very good point. If I was in an accident I certainly would want rescuers to know my baby was in the car.
In general, I think the signs have value. I don't know if I would get one as I am not someone who generally puts stuff all over my car. But I certainly don't look down on others who do. But who knows... when my daughter makes the honor role... I just may get a bumper sticker. After all ... I AM a proud mommy and there is nothing wrong with telling the world I am proud of my dauther.
I have a baby on board bumper sticker on my car. Here is the link to the site i got it from:http://signs.cafepress.com/baby-on-board
When my mom first started driving, she considered a "baby on board" sign. Haha. But she stuck with "student driver" instead.
I actually love stickers on cars. Haha.
@NavajoPrincess27@xanga - I said depending on how full the SUV is but I doubt you live in my state so...yeah. It doesn't matter. =]
I understand SOME people need SUVs, my big complaint is just the lone person who drives an SUV and doesn't haul anything or something of that nature. =]
@NavajoPrincess27@xanga - My friend actually fits three car seats in her car. Also there are mini vans. You can drive whatever you want, I really don't care, I just don't like seeing people defending their SUV by saying they had no choice to fit their kids, dogs, families, groceries, whatever, there's always a choice, it's not like people with three car seats didn't drive before SUVs flooded the market.
@NavajoPrincess27@xanga - there is nothing wrong with showing pride in anything. I still think the bumper stickers are lame. I would never put a bumper sticker on my car for anything though.
I am not saying to leave your kids home when you go to church or to visit family, those are family outings. I said leave them home when you go run errands as in shopping or other places that you really don't need to bring the kids. I do realize that not everyone can always arrange to have their child cared for when they go out to do errands, but honestly it isn't my problem. I still maintain that being so distracted by your kids is an excuse and if you can't drive with them in the car don't do it. Don't expect people to say awwww she/he has kids and ignore bad driving. Bad driving is bad driving period.
And to the person that commented that obviously I never had my son cry for no reason in the car. The last time I checked, all babies cried for no reason in the car. However considering I am driving I can't change his diaper if he is wet, he has a sippy cup, he has toys, he is in his car seat so he is safe, and I always feed him before I leave there is nothing wrong with him other than he doesn't want to be in the car seat so guess what, I won't divert my attention from him putting both of us in danger of being in an accident.
BTW both of my SILs are SAHM, they dropped their kids off at day care when they ran errands.
@bamfness__xx@xanga - ha! ha! yea. judging by the responses here, I think your dad may be right.
@Erika_Steele@xanga - Hahaha, I'm beginning to think he's quite the philosophical man.
Wow, I never thought that it could be offensive to people.
No, we never considered sticking them on because we don't have anything stuck to our car windows, etc. I don't think they really encourage safe driving. Sometimes you can see people who have those signs on their car and seem to be driving faster than the rest of us on the road. Then, really, what is that message that is being sent out?
I always thought they were silly, right along the lines of those "my child is an honor student" stickers. I will never get either of those on my car.
@ELCIINE@xanga - I think that "student driver" sign would be a much more effective way to get people to watch out for you. :)
I think people who find them offensive are thinking WAYYY TOO MUCH. Like you, i think its more of a reminder to practice safe driving. During my non baby days I'd get all annoyed when there was a slow driver in front of me but if I saw "the SIGN" then I'd slow down or be like, "oh ok, she or he is drivng like that because they have a kid and don't wanna drive recklessly."
I have a Baby On Board sign for just that purpose. I've noticed more people passing me up instead of tailgating me. if they do they get the dirtiest look and I slow down to the point of almost stopping so they get the hint.
I'm a lionness protecting my young! Hell will be unleashed if some dumb ass threatens the life of my child. The sign is more like a "warning" to the idiots sign and if people think it's annoying, THEY are annoying with their lame thoughts!
I think they are cute. When I had my son i wanted to shout from the rooftops that i was a mommy, and those signs are one way to do that. i have yet to purchase one however because whenever I am in Babies R Us I never remember to pick one up. Shopping trips are fast simple nowadays with my lil 9 month old guy! I don't see them as any different than those lisence plate frames that say "My grandkids are cuter than yours" or things like that. It's all in good fun
I think it's annoying that people get offended so easily. =P I don't have those signs on my car but I see nothing wrong with them!
@NavajoPrincess27@xanga - I fit 3 car seats, 2 adults, 2 non-carseat kids plus supplies for a day at the zoo/park in our minivan - which gets much better gas mileage than most of the SUV's out there. Some station wagons could fit 3 car seats and still have storage. Unless your family is bigger than 7 people total, you don't NEED  an SUV.Â
As for the baby on board signs, I wouldn't say they bother me. I just don't think they change much how most people drive. I don't have one and never plan on getting one.Â
As for the safety thing, there is a thing out there called the WHALE program (We Have A Little Emergency). It involves having a sticker on your back window and one on each car seat. (For the program to work, the car seats have to go with the children or have a sticker on each seat they use). In the case of an accident, especially where the adults occupants have been incapacited in some way or are not related to the children, emergency personnel can see (from back window sticker) that you participate in the program and the sticker on the car seat gives them the info about the child in said seat (name, age, medical history, allergies and such). I would think this to be much more helpful than just a baby on board sticker.Â
I wasn't wealthy or well off when I was pregnant or when I had the baby, so the extra $3 sign was off the list. I opted to buy something like a bib or socks instead.
Who cares what people drive? It's their choice. I WANT an SUV. I live 600 miles from any of my family and we travel quite often....yes I NEED an SUV. We tried to travel in a minvan...didn't work. I'm not a mother who is gonna drive a minivan...no matter how old I get. My SUV gets better gas milage than most SUV's a few minivans, cars and trucks. I got my Durango with my first child. How wasteful would I be if I got a new car with each new kid. My Durango is paid off, get's good gas milage for it's size...the dealer was even impressed and it fits my family of 5 VERY well. It's my choice to drive it...and it's MY choice not to drive a minivan!