Really? A Baby on Board?! In your car!? I’d better slow down and take EXTRA care. Seriously, I’m not driving around looking for middle aged people to hit all day…this isn’t going to keep me or anyone else from hitting your car. I’m not going to drive extra careful around your baby filled car. I’m not going to give you extra space and I’m not going to drive any other way than I always do. I’m not going care more about your baby than any other human being. I actually have a lot more admiration and respect for anyone for each year added to their lifespan as it can be a harsh world out there and they’ve done well just to get this far. Of course, maybe this sign is just a way of bragging about your baby. Another worthless sign filling the already jumbled view of nearly every vantage point of human population. And if you are bragging, then…if anything, I rather hit your car than any other.
—Hunger
This article appears in Aug 6-12, 2009.
Thank you for posing that question! I’ve often wondered what the purpose of those signs were, it’s not like people will be able to avoid hitting a car, just because it has one of those signs on it.
And do they take the sign down if they’re not transporting a child at that time?
I never understood these signs either.
I’m going to avoid an accident at all costs, whether the car is filled with infants or elderly folk. So I really don’t care that there’s a “baby on board”.
something something…burt ward!
If a little sign in someone’s rear window is cause enough to throw you into this big of a tizzy, then you really need to get laid OP.
I always assumed that it was merely to beg other drivers’ patience in the event the parent might have to drive a bit slower, pull over quickly or some such thing. As well, it is probably hoped that the sign would deter the car from being targeted by road-rage personalities and tailgaters.
C’mon folks. Lots of people drive recklessly and cut people off and tailgate and a host of other things that they really shouldn’t do. Maybe the reminder that they could be endangering the life of a little baby is enough to make them drive a little more safely, for everyone.
I’ve always hated these stupid signs, too.
I think some parents should remove them from the back window and put them up front where they can see them to be reminded they have a baby on board.
If people are stupid and drive without regard for themselves or others, I don’t imagine a little yellow sign is going to make any difference.
Regardless; agreed – I’ve always found these mildly irritating, too.
sigh……
Could it be for the same reason that people put “pet inside” or “child inside” on bedroom windows.
It is to inform rescue crews of the possible persence of a baby somewhere in or near a wrecked car.
Do you get extra points for hitting a car with on of these signs on it.
I don’t really get these baby on board signs either, but I really get ticked off when I see them, and then see the child, in a car that is recklessly passing others on the highway. If you want to put yourself in danger, fine. But don’t brag about having a baby in the car and then put their life in danger.
I always thought it had to do with nabbing good parking places – that’s all I use mine for anyway 😛
I think Matthew got it. That actually makes a lot of sense. As long as they take the sign out of the window when their child’s not with them. Then the rescuers would spend extra time in a potentially dangerous situation looking for a non-existent baby…
I used to have a “DJ on board” sign when I had a car.
I think that would encourage the rescuers to leave you in the burning car NGF 🙂
Nah, I only put it in the window when I would get drunk and drive around to rear-end cabs.
now if they would post a sign like this in the window:
To the girl who danced on a elevated spot with a short skirt and no underwear
Posted on Tue, Aug 11, 2009 at 1:11 PM
the cops and firefighters might make the extra effort to rescue the damsel in distress, who was in a state of undress
If anything I find the driver’s in these vehicle’s worse than any other on the road. I heed the sign as a warning. Baby on board = I’m going to rear end you at a stop light cause I’m too busy turned around trying to jam a soother in someones mouth, or coo over their daily BM.
NGF: I think I may have seen your car in the past. I remember seeing a “DJ on Board” sign a few years ago.
I think if a goddam sign irritates you that much, you guys have issues. Concentrate on the fucking road while driving instead of worrying about signs on a fucking car. Get over yourselves.
I don’t think they irritate anyone enough do to anything more than gripe about it on a silly website…
I don’t consider that having issues.
Does any one remember the guy that had the Tim hortons cup glued to the roof of his car as if he left it there by mistake. People would honk, point and try anything to get his attention, as he just sat there pretending not to see or hear them quietly laughing to himself.
Another reason for these signs, on top of the one Matthew listed- which is exactly it- is that it’s one of those superstitious, little ritualistic things that just somehow makes us FEEL safer, even if we aren’t. Most of us have these, parents and non-parents….even the pompous (but not-so-clever) assholes like the OP I’m sure.
Maybe I should get one that says ‘Newfie On Board” or “Biker On Board” or “Gramma On Board”…hehehehe:)
I rarely see these signs… perhaps its because I am driving so fast by them going 140+ with a bumper sticker that says “Neighbourhood Pace Car”
Where can I get a “Baby in trunk” sticker?
I used to have one but it kept falling out of my back window. I had gotten it as a gift and didn’t understand the point of it so I didn’t put it back on.
George Carlin said it all:
“The three most puke-inducing words that man has yet thought of: baby on board. I don’t know what valueless, souless, yuppie cocksucker thought up that idea. No idea who. Who gives a fuck? I certainly don’t. You know what these morons are actually telling us, don’t you? They’re actually saying to us, “We know you’re a shitty driver most of the time, but because our child is nearby we expect you to straighten out for a little while.” Fuck these people, I run ’em into a goddamn utility pole! Roll that car over, bounce that kid around a little bit. Let him grow up with a sense of reality for Christ-sakes. Life doesn’t change cause you put up a sign. I’m supposed to alter my driving habits because some lady forgot to put her diaphragm in. Isn’t that nice? Isn’t that a real treat for me? Baby on board, child in car. Don’t tell me your troubles lady! Why don’t put up an honest sign: asshole at the wheel!!”
I got into an accident because of one of those little signs. I saw it in the rear window of a car so I drove up closer to read what it said…It said ‘Baby On Board’
I ended up rear ending that car because I was driving too close to it so I could read the little sign and I ended up killing 4 babies that were on their way to Daycare…..
If it wasn’t for that little sign I wouldn’t have been driving so close to read it and those babies would still be alive today…