States Crack Down on Parents and Caregivers Who Leave Children Alone in Cars

[piemaker720]

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,291415,00.html

A Florida mom who faces misdemeanor charges for leaving her 2-month-old son in an idling Pontiac is just the latest example of the nationwide crackdown on parents who leave their kids alone in cars and then face fines — or worse, jail time.

Twelve states have laws specifically prohibiting leaving young children alone in cars, some making it a traffic violation with a penalty of a ticket and a fine, and others — including Florida — making it a misdemeanor, with the possible punishment being a prison sentence as well as a hefty fine.

There is just too much of this happening these days.:

[joepole]

There is? Is this really a problem that needs to be cracked down upon?

[AnimeSpirit]

Originally Posted by joepole

There is? Is this really a problem that needs to be cracked down upon?

Yes Joe, it is really a problem that needs to be cracked down upon.

You don't leave kids in the car alone, ESPECIALLY if the car is running. Kids as young as 3 have the physical ability and the observational skills to climb into the driver seat and put a car in gear. I have heard this story numerous times.

[joepole]

I obviously know that, but is this happening enough that we need to "crack down" on it?

[Pocahontas]

Originally Posted by piemaker720

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,291415,00.html



There is just too much of this happening these days.:

Good! This is becoming way to big of a problem!!!

[rhertz]

Originally Posted by joepole

I obviously know that, but is this happening enough that we need to "crack down" on it?

My parents used to leave me alone in the car by myself a lot when I was young. I wouldn't dare touch any of the controls (except the AC maybe) out of fear of getting a whipin'. The only danger would be if the engine died and I did not have enough sense to get out of the car and make a run for it to the nearest door making it safe inside before passing out, LOL, almost seems funny. My, how times have changed in the new safe world we all now live in. LOL, we aren't safe enough yet? Well then we need more paranoia and worldwide news coverage spread around to fix that.

(Disclaimer: I am not agreeing with or attemping to answer joepoles questions. I am describing my childhood experience is all)

[Texasbelle]

One of the employees at our office this weekend was eating dinner at the Roadhouse Saturday. She and her husband had left their furry child out in his truck. It had been raining so it was very comfortable outside, they left the windows rolled partially down, and a water bowl out. A patron of the restaurant walked by the truck and saw the dog in the truck. The idiot called the police and reported the dog in the vehicle. The police come out and start walking around the vehicle, etc. Our employee and her husband notice all this commotion around their truck and walk outside. The fat lady who called it in gets in their face and starts screaming "Would you like to be wearing a fur coat right now and be left outside???????" It was insane. Our employee dearly loves her pet and wouldn't compromise it's safety. These people just did not take the time to think and look at the windows down, the outside temp, and the water bowl in the floor. The police office shooed the over reactors away and on down the road and all was good. But it goes to show how some people can be!