silly question from UK - 9 people in a 8 seater?

[mark&sue]

A friend of ours is going to WDW next month from UK and said they were going to try to squash 9 people into an 8 seater (three of them are kids). I thought this was illegal but thought I would check with you guys before I told them not too. If is illegal what would the penalty be?

Many thanks



Susan

 

[BelleBoo&AmisMum]

Totally unsafe and illegal, especially with children.

Pretty sure my hyper anal-retentive car seat safety nazi side just had a heart attack at the idea.

 

[Toby'sFriend]

I'm not sure of Florida laws.


I think the law here is that everybody in the front seat has to be in a seat belt and all the small kids have to be in car seats. I could even be wrong on that though --- I personally would never drive people around without seat belts.


Plus - where are they going to put all the luggage?

 

[mark&sue]

In answer to the luggage question one family was going to use Magical Express and use the car to go to Seaworld and Universal. I said that it was not worth it as it was illegal? and dangerous and to just get a cab to these attractions.

Thanks for the response I will be more assertive and tell them not to be so silly.



Susan

 

[buzzlady]

http://www.fhp.state.fl.us/CPS/

You can find the laws on this page. Scroll down the page and on the left you will see the links to the law.

 

[KathyTX]

That's a good link Buzzlady provided.

In a nutshell: Florida law says it's illegal to have more passengers than seat belts, and any children 3 years or younger have to be in a car seat.

 

[kasar]

In dire emergencies, I've had to double buckle kids in the back of my van but that's just to drive them around the block to bring them home.

I wouldn't drive on unfamiliar roads (in another country?) without proper safety precautions, though. And certainly not on highways from the airport. So technically, it is physically possible but not legal and definitely not advisable.

Sorry.

 

[va32h]

Your vacation would surely be ruined by an expensive ticket or (God forbid) a fatal car accident, so why risk it? Rent two cars or take airport shuttles.

 

[Microcell]

That's a good link Buzzlady provided.

In a nutshell: Florida law says it's illegal to have more passengers than seat belts, and any children 3 years or younger have to be in a car seat.

Yep, and the way they drive in Florida(dangerously SSSLLOOOOOWWWW, you could quite easily have an accident!

 

[laurie31]

Pretty sure my hyper anal-retentive car seat safety nazi side just had a heart attack at the idea.

Mine too!!

Oh the horror! When I see stuff like this I always mutter to myself that they must be on their way to the funeral home to pick out the casket.

I'd be much less worried about a ticket than I would about someone dying or being seriously injured. Orlando isn't exactly known for it's sensible courteous drivers I think in the case of more people than seat belts, you might be charged with manslaughter if someone died, but I'm not sure about the laws in FL. No need to play traffic russian roulette - spring for a vehicle large enough for everyone!!

Btw, we have this problem on vacation with DH's family. There are 10 of us, and DH's brother has an SUV that seats 9. We take two cars everywhere we go. Sometimes it's tempting not to, but no way would we really give in and let someone ride in the floor. No way!

Laurie

 

[mom2of2]

Yep, and the way they drive in Florida(dangerously SSSLLOOOOOWWWW, you could quite easily have an accident!

uh...you haven't driven on 192 or I4 recently have you?? The speed limit is 45-50 on 192 and I get passed going 60. I4 is even worse. Factor in construction, wet roads and wackadoodles there is NO WAY IN HELLO that I would even venture out of my complex without seatbelts on everyone.

 

[LMC]

Couldn't you rent two smaller cars which would seat 5 each for the cost of one big SUV or van? or get a 15 passenger van.

 

[mark&sue]

I will send them a copy of this thread. Thanks for all your help. I knew I would get answer here.

Many thanks.



Susan

 

[solferino]

Magical express will not take luggage without someone from the party to go along with it. Why not have a couple of adults and one of the kids go on ME to be with the luggage and the others take the rental.

But the thought of stuffing 9 into a vehicle that has seating for 8 freaks me out completely and I think your friends are being stupid to even consider the notion of doing so.

 

[sadeeyore]

Would your friends consider up-grading the car? It's sometimes cheaper to up-grade here before they leave for their holiday.