Children in the front seat

Is there a law stating at what age a child may ride in the front seat? I just put the carseat base in DH's car for DS and now I can't fit the booster seat for DD#1. She will be 8 in April. I'm wondering if she is allowed to ride in the front seat in the booster. I don't know what else to do. I can squeeze the booster in between the other 2 carseats, but she will not be able to buckle the seatbelt. This would not be happening very often, as any time it is possible, he will take my van with all 3, but occasionally he will need to transport all 3 kids without us being able to trade vehicles.

Re: Children in the front seat

Pretty sure it is 12 years old and 100lbs. Definitely not safe for an 8 year old in a booster.

Re: Children in the front seat

Children in the front seat

Not sure if this helps...http://www.iihs.org/iihs/topics/laws/safetybeltuse/mapchildrestraintagerequirements?topicName=child-safety#map

Re: Children in the front seat

From ny state police....
Although New York does not have a law preventing children from sitting in the front seat, it is highly recommended that all children age 12 and under ride properly restrained in the back seat. Researchers estimate that just by putting a child in the back seat instead of the front seat reduces the chance of injury and death by more than 30%.

All children must be restrained in an appropriate child restraint system while riding in a motor vehicle, until they reach their 8th birthday.

Re: Children in the front seat

Once she is old enough to be out of the booster, you can put her in the back. Check the seat belt level on your daughter to see if she fits ok with out the booster. You can also just use the bottom booster at that point if she is not tall enough. The belt must lay across the shoulder. Not near the neck. 8 y/o should not be in the front seat at any time. As a medic I have seen some very serious accidents with children in the front and they dont have good endings. I have also seen some minor accidents but children seriously hurt from the airbag because they where in the front. They are WAY to small for the speed and force of the airbag.

Re: Children in the front seat

I found this on the CDC website to make sure you child fits the seat without a booster. I hope it helps.
**Once seat belts fit properly without a booster seat – Children no longer need to use a booster seat once seat belts fit them properly. Seat belts fit properly when the lap belt lays across the upper thighs (not the stomach) and the shoulder belt lays across the chest (not the neck). The recommended height for proper seat belt fit is 57 inches tall. For the best possible protection keep children properly buckled in the back seat.**

Children in the front seat

I took the infant base out of my car & buckle baby seat w belt ( just as secure without base) tomake more room & have an option on where to put baby seat.

Children in the front seat

The MAIN reason a child should never be in the front seat is the airbag. An airbag can kill a child under 12 years old.

There are a lot of cars that have a sensor for the airbag in front. That if you are less than X lbs the airbag will not go off or even be activated.

If the front seat of your car has an airbag and it CANT be turned off your daughter should not be in the front seat of the car until she is 12. If your airbag does turn off I would do some research and see what is recommended. A child has a better chance of surviving an accident in the back than in the front.

Re: Children in the front seat

Re: Children in the front seat

When I have my 8 yr old niece with me I put her in between my 2 car seats. And she sits on an inflatable seat called the bubble bum. I prob wouldn't use it for long car rides, but for a short ride its fine
http://www.amazon.com/BubbleBum-Inflatable-Car-Booster-Seat/dp/B003GQ0LQ8

Re: Children in the front seat

Children in the front seat

Maybe this vest, if she isn't too big: http://csftl.org/ride-safer-travel-vest-review-and-giveaway/

Re: Children in the front seat

My dd is also 7. I wouldn't put her in the front though I've seen her friend in the front and wondered myself. Maybe you can turn off airbag? Also, I thought I was the only on using a booster bc I don think I e see. An of them using one o you can probably try that route as well. Really it's only 2 more months til she's 8 anyhow.

Children in the front seat

She might be old enough in April to be out of the booster buy she will more then likely not be safe without the booster. Depending on how big she is the belt will most likely need to be positioned correctly by the booster. I would look into a bubble bum for when they have to be 3 across.

Here's a few resources to the 5 step test for not using a booster anymore (which usually is around 10/12 years old)

Link 1

Link 2

Message edited 3/16/2014 2:00:30 PM.

Re: Children in the front seat

Target has a very inexpensive little booster that could probably go in the middle.

Re: Children in the front seat

To the original post - can you please let me know the car you have and the ages of your children?

Some of the answers that have been given have not been appropriate. There may be alternate solutions that are specific for your situation.