Riding in the front seat

K&P414 · August 2009

Who could I call to find out about the rules of riding in the front seat of a car? My mom takes Emma to school most mornings and she usually rides (in a little booster seat) in the front seat of her Passat station wagon. It has an option to turn off the passenger airbag, which we did. FWIW, they ride less than 1 mile to school and it's 100% residential so it's not like they are on the interstate or anything. She's almost 7 years old and I'm okay with this arrangement but someone said something to my mom in carline this morning (of course my mother was MORTIFIED).

ebearwife · August 2009

I think the law is 12 yo or a certain weight. To be on the safe side, I would just put her in the back regardless of the ride duration. Most accidents happen close to home.

ebearwife · August 2009

I was wrong. 6 is the cut off, but that seems awfully small to me.

https://www.gahighwaysafety.org/cpsbottomline.html

K&P414 · August 2009

That's perfect, thank you.

soon2b3 · August 2009

DEFINITELY Dialing DFACS now :-) TOTALLY KIDDING!

Mrs.Guz · August 2009

I was just told that as soon as they are big enough to not be in a booster, they are allowed to ride in the front seat.

jade_sweatpea · August 2009

My son is 9 and still doesn't ride in the front seat but I'm crazy like that. Waiting until he's driving is a bit much but I prob won't let him sit up front until he's 12.

Expert Answers

Stephanie Tombrello, child passenger safety specialist

The answer in almost every case is not until he's at least 13 ? and passenger safety organizations such as SafetyBeltSafe U.S.A. recommend going even further and keeping your child in the backseat until he's ready to drive himself.

https://www.babycenter.com/404_when-can-my-child-safely-ride-in-the-front-seat-of-a-car_69792.bc

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