Setting a safe example

While waiting to be served in my local bike shop, I saw a dad-of-three buying cycle helmets for his brood. Parting with the thick end of £100, I overheard him say that he now has to convince his kids to wear them. ‘Do you have a one?’ asked the assistant. ‘No’ he said.

On the Solent I often see boats full of families without any lifejackets. I appreciate that it is one’s own decision (or the skipper’s) whether or not to wear a lifejacket, but to allow young children on boats without taking appropriate precautions is just plain irresponsible, especially when parents are not setting a good example themselves.

Ultimately, it is the parents that have to live with the consequences of their actions but the cost of lifejackets is so cheap these days, there should be no excuse for not setting a good example. Until then, these people shall remain on my naughty list alongside people who text while driving. Paul Walters