The “Baby in Car” Sticker

I’ve always felt a little uneasy about “Baby in Car” stickers. As the driver behind one, I’d find myself wondering, “So what?” Does it mean, “There’s a baby on board, so I’ll be driving slowly”? Or perhaps, “There’s a baby on board, so I may need to stop suddenly”?…

I could never tell what the sticker was meant to communicate to other drivers. And since one would spoil the Panamera’s design, we were never going to put one on our car. Still, so many cars have them that I decided to look into what the sticker actually means.

When I searched for the story behind the “Baby in Car” sticker, I came across this account:

A baby was in a car involved in an accident, but the rescue team didn’t realize it. The baby died, and stickers were created after that to prevent the same thing from happening again.

“Wait—that’s what it means?” The story was heartbreaking—but it turns out it’s probably an urban legend.

What the Sticker Actually Means

The sticker was apparently first sold in September 1984 by the American company Safety First, with the aim of encouraging safer driving. Here’s an excerpt from the Safety First website:

Safety 1st is an American baby-products company founded in 1984, with bases in Canada and Europe. True to its name, the brand is guided by the principle of “always putting baby’s safety first.” It develops and manufactures a wide range of baby products that have been loved around the world. Safety 1st doesn’t just make products for the convenience of babies and parents; it also considers the everyday environments in which families raise their children. One of its firsts was launching the world’s first “Baby on Board” message sign for cars. As a leader in the baby-products industry, Safety 1st develops advanced child seats and offers a broad range of practical products designed with babies’ safety as its top priority. Its products are now sold and enjoyed in more than 50 countries. Safety 1st is a brand that has always been there to support parents.
＊Excerpt from the Safety 1st website

I see. The idea of making “always putting baby’s safety first” the brand’s guiding principle is wonderful. And after reading this, I feel like I finally understand what that sticker is meant to say.

On the highway, I sometimes see drivers in a hurry tailgating the car ahead. Sure, dawdling in the passing lane isn’t ideal, but driving right up behind someone is dangerous. If the car in front brakes suddenly, there may be no time to react—and the result could be a serious crash.

There are very few things more important than a life.

Of course, cars carrying babies should be driven safely—but so should every car on the road. I hope that seeing a “Baby in Car” (or “Baby on Board”) sticker gives drivers a moment to think, “That’s right—I need to drive safely.”

Before I focus on enjoying the drive, I want to make safe driving a priority every day.