[snoopy5386]

So my SMIL has planned a birthday trip for FIL. She sent us the itinerary today. One of the things on the list is a "Ride the Ducks" tour of DC.
http://www.dcducks.com/index.htm
It just occurred to me that if we do this with them, DD will be riding in this thing completely unrestrained, no car seat, no seatbelt. We still have her RFing in our car! I am not sure how I feel about this....part of me says what are the chances of something bad happening, the other part is the what if factor. So mamas WWYD in this situation?

 

[DahliaRW]

I'd imagine it's equivalent to riding a bus or other form of public transportation and I wouldn't worry about it. She's 3, so she can understand basic safety if you explain to her the importance of sitting and such.

 

[mama_y_sol]

We were just in DC and few weeks ago and watched the DC Ducks boat drive right out of the water. It's pretty cool.

We also saw them down by the capitol. They are pretty high up and seem to go fairly slow. I personally would feel okay with it. But thats me.

 

[angelamariebee]

Anytime I have to take DD into a moving vehicle (bus, trolley, etc) without a carseat I am PARANOID so I understand your hesistation. I'd probably still go, but I'd be extra cautious!

 

[mamarootoo]

Quote:

Originally Posted by DahliaRW I'd imagine it's equivalent to riding a bus or other form of public transportation and I wouldn't worry about it. She's 3, so she can understand basic safety if you explain to her the importance of sitting and such.

:

you could take your DD on a bus so she kind of knows the drill beforehand. i would guess it's pretty safe, though.

 

[Twinklefae]

Anything driven by a professional driver is safer than your car. Anything bigger than most cars is safer... and duck boat tours are a blast! Go for it! (and explain that she has to sit down obviously.)

 

[harmonyhobbit]

My kids have ridden busses, and I feel they are safe. Research shows that even in accidents, unrestrained kids in school busses are rarely seriously injured. The likilhood of a tour bus tippping over is very slim.

 

[lanamommyphd07]

not sure if I caught this right, but your dd is rear-facing at 3 years old? I'm scratching my head at the ergonomics there----

 

[pixiekisses]

Quote:

Originally Posted by lanamommyphd07 not sure if I caught this right, but your dd is rear-facing at 3 years old? I'm scratching my head at the ergonomics there----

We have two kiddos at 5 yo. 5 mo. that is rearfacing.

Anyway, I think I'd be as worried about going in the water w/o a lifejacket. But I think I would contact them and get some more info. on safety if it's not on the homepage. And then make a decision.

 

[DahliaRW]

The Ducks carry life jackets on board.

 

[just_lily]

My concern wouldn't be the lack of carseats.

Personally, I wouldn't go.

 

[pixiekisses]

Quote:

Originally Posted by just_lily My concern wouldn't be the lack of carseats. Personally, I wouldn't go.

Oh jeeeez, neither would I.
Too many accidents with these boats.

 

[AAK]

Quote:

Originally Posted by pixiekisses Oh jeeeez, neither would I. Too many accidents with these boats.

I would go. You can't live in fear of everything. If it makes you feel better, find out the stats of the company you are planning your tour with. I saw the boston duck boats all the time when I lived there. I never heard of an accident, but maybe there has been. It is a town of gossip though, so I would have thought to have heard about it.

Amy

 

[momma-d]

Quote:

Originally Posted by AAK I would go. You can't live in fear of everything. If it makes you feel better, find out the stats of the company you are planning your tour with.

I agree...if we get too carried away being afraid of how things could go wrong or hurt us or our children, we'd never leave the house...

 

[pixiekisses]

Quote:

Originally Posted by AAK I would go. You can't live in fear of everything.

That's a silly way to put it, we're on trips and outings a lot, but only those that we consider safe. We do not live in fear just because I wouldn't go on that one trip. But if you've read the link I quotet, that's too many accidents where too many people where killed.

 

[momma-d]

Quote:

Originally Posted by pixiekisses That's a silly way to put it, we're on trips and outings a lot, but only those that we consider safe. We do not live in fear just because I wouldn't go on that one trip. But if you've read the link I quotet, that's too many accidents.

I agree that there appears to have been a lot of accidents surrounding the converted trucks and the like...but...they were pretty old sources (the most recent was 2002, I think). Perhaps the standards have improved.
Why don't you call the company who will be running the trip and ask them...? Find out what type of vehicles they use and their track record...

 

[Love_My_Bubba]

Quote:

Originally Posted by lanamommyphd07 not sure if I caught this right, but your dd is rear-facing at 3 years old? I'm scratching my head at the ergonomics there----

My DS was 3 in February and he just hit 33 lbs. I'm not sure about height restrictions since we turned him almost as soon as we could because of motion sickness issues. Either way he could have been RF for weight until very recently.

ETA: I would go, if you're arelly concerned just check out their safety record.

 

[pixiekisses]

Quote:

Originally Posted by momma-d Why don't you call the company who will be running the trip and ask them...? Find out what type of vehicles they use and their track record...

Me? I'm not OP?
(And I don't even live in the US.)

 

[mamarootoo]

Quote:

Originally Posted by pixiekisses That's a silly way to put it, we're on trips and outings a lot, but only those that we consider safe. We do not live in fear just because I wouldn't go on that one trip. But if you've read the link I quotet, that's too many accidents where too many people where killed.

you're in more danger driving in your car than on one of those tours.

but i agree that it's all about every person's comfort level

 

[vbactivist]

Quote:

Originally Posted by pixiekisses That's a silly way to put it, we're on trips and outings a lot, but only those that we consider safe. We do not live in fear just because I wouldn't go on that one trip. But if you've read the link I quotet, that's too many accidents where too many people where killed.

Driving in a car is NOT safe - but I'd be willing to bet you do it every day