The following is an ‘Ask The Chief’ question submitted to TLS, and the Chief’s response. Email your questions for the Chief to [email protected].

Question:

Is it possible to clarify what the law is regarding how old children need to be to sit in the front seat of a car? I have been trying to ask a few traffic lawyers and everyone gives me a different answer. It seems that there is a little confusion out there. Thank you in advance.

The Chief’s response:

Thank you for the excellent question that I am sure a lot of people have questions on.

Being a zaidy now, I once again have a car seat in our family car for those occasions. For a booster seat the age is 8 years old or 80 pounds, then the law drops off on what age is appropriate for what area of the car. The safe kids organization which teaches car seat safety and certifies people in the proper installation of car seats recommends no one under the age of 13 in the front passengers seat of a car. The reason being is the proper fit of the seatbelt with the harness belt resting across their chest and shoulders, and not across the neck area.

SO I would say as a rule of thumb, if you have a larger child close to that age of 13 and the belt fits them correctly, then common sense would be that its ok for them to be in the front. But if the belt does not sit properly, then it cannot do its intended job to hold the child safety in the seat upon impact or hard braking, which then brings airbag issues into play.

Verbiage:

4 to 8 yrs old less than 57” (4’9”) child must be in either a 5 point harness or a booster seat in the rear of the vehicle.

8 and up must wear a properly adjusted and fastened seatbelt. (Preferred in rear seat). Seatbelt across shoulder and hips, not on neck and stomach. Knees bent naturally over the seat.

No definitive law regarding the age for front seat. Seatbelt must be properly fitted. Seatbelt across shoulder and hips, not on neck and stomach. Knees bent properly over the seat.

Safe kids Worldwide and Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recommend a child 13yrs old and older can sit in the front seat.

Rear seat is the safest place in a vehicle.

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