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How much should a child weigh to sit in front seat


When can a child sit in the front seat? Passenger safety tips

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Many organizations recommend that a child only travel in the front seat of a vehicle from the age of 13.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommend that all children under the age of 13 sit in the rear seats of vehicles. How they sit in the back seat — for example, whether they use a rear-facing seat, a forward-facing seat, or a booster seat — will depend on their age, weight, and height.

Most cars come equipped with airbags and seat belts. Car manufacturers originally designed these standard safety features to protect adults in the event of a crash. However, they may not prove as useful for protecting a child in the front seat.

In this article, we cover what people need to know about child passenger safety. This includes age-specific safety rules, the risks of sitting in the front seat, and some general tips for safe car travel with children.

Share on PinterestA child’s age, height, and weight determine the most appropriate way for them to sit in a vehicle.

Parents and caregivers can keep children safe by buckling them into a seat that is appropriate for their age, height, and weight.

Compared with seat belt use alone, car seat use lowers the risk of injury in vehicle crashes by up to 82% in children.

The following sections contain car seat recommendations for children of different age groups.

Birth to 3 years

In previous years, the AAP recommended that children ride in rear-facing car seats until they reached 2 years of age.

However, the AAP have since changed this recommendation in response to recent research findings. They now suggest that children ride in a rear-facing car seat until they exceed the seat’s weight and height limits.

Parents and caregivers should also keep rear-facing car seats in the back seat of the car to prevent airbag injuries. Airbags present a significant risk to children in rear-facing car seats because their heads are much closer to the airbag.

3 to 7 years

Those aged 3–7 years may exceed the weight and height limits of their rear-facing car seat. If this is the case, they should instead sit in a forward-facing car seat in the back seat of the vehicle.

Height and weight recommendations for car seat use vary by state. Weight limits for most seats range from 20–65 pounds (lb). Height limits also vary. Generally, children must be at least 4 feet 9 inches tall before they stop using a car seat.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend that children use a forward-facing car seat until they reach at least 5 years of age, however.

8 to 12 years

When a child outgrows their forward-facing car seat, they should use a booster seat. This is to ensure that the car’s seat belt fits correctly. The lap belt must lie across the child’s upper thighs, and the shoulder belt should fit snuggly against their shoulder and chest.

According to the National Safety Council, children should ride in a booster seat until they reach all of the following:

  • at least 9 years of age
  • 4 feet 9 inches in height
  • 80 lb in weight

State-specific child safety laws

Child passenger safety laws vary by state. People can learn more about their state’s child passenger safety law by visiting their state’s government website. Alternatively, people can visit the Governors Highway Safety Association page on child passenger safety.

Most states permit children over a certain age or size to use an adult seat belt without a car seat or booster seat. Others require booster seats or other child restraint devices for children who have outgrown their car seats.

Children who sit in the front seat of a vehicle are at increased risk of injury from airbag deployment. An airbag deploys in under one-twentieth of a second and can cause serious injury. This is why the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration suggest that adults sit at least 10 inches away from the steering wheel.

Children tend to be shorter than adults. They may therefore sustain severe head injuries if they are sitting in the front seat of a vehicle when an airbag deploys. Some car manufacturers now use occupant-sensing devices that suppress airbags for infants and children.

Children over 13 years of age who have outgrown a booster seat can sit in the front passenger seat of a car. Parents and caregivers can minimize the risk of airbag-related injury by moving the passenger seat as far back as possible.

People should also try to follow the safety tips below when driving with children in the car:

  • Ensure that children use appropriately sized seat belts and safety seats at all times.
  • Ensure that children below 13 years of age sit in the back seat.
  • Buckle any unused seatbelts to prevent children from playing with them.
  • Take care to model safe passenger and driving habits.

Vehicle crashes present significant risks to children. Parents and caregivers can help keep them safe by using the appropriate car seats and seat belts. Children under the age of 13 should sit in the back seat of a car.

Parents and caregivers can teach children safe passenger and driving habits by always wearing a seat belt and exercising caution behind the wheel.

According to the CDC, motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of death among children in the United States. The U.S. Department of Transportation estimate that 3,313 children younger than 13 years of age died while riding in vehicles between 2013 and 2017.

Parents and caregivers can sign up to receive safety notifications about their child’s car seat at seatcheck.org.

SHOP FOR CAR SEATS

Some of the car seats listed in this article are available to purchase in stores and online:

  • rear-facing car seats
  • forward-facing car seats
  • booster seats

When Can a Child Sit in the Front Seat: By Height and Age

Medically reviewed by Karen Gill, M.D. — By Rachel Nall, MSN, CRNA on July 23, 2018

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Overview

While airbags are meant to protect adults from harm in a car crash, they can’t protect children sitting in the front seat.

As a result, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that all children ages 13 and under buckle up in the back seat for safety.

Some exceptions to this exist. For example, if an adolescent over age 13 is small for their age, it’s not recommended they sit in the front.

Here’s what you need to know about children riding in the car, as well as car seat safety tips by age.

Dangers of riding in the front seat for young children

Car manufacturers typically design airbags to protect an adult who’s at least 5 feet tall and roughly 150 pounds. Even if a child is wearing a seat belt correctly when riding in the front seat, they’re more likely to sustain injuries from a passenger airbag than an adult.

This is because an airbag deploys rapidly, within 1/20th of a second. At this fast rate, an airbag can deploy at a speed of 200 miles per hour. This delivers a significant amount of force to a younger, lighter child.

Children who sit in the front seat before they’re larger in size are at risk for head injuries due to the impact of the airbag or the airbag’s ability to lift them off the seat and hit the top of the car.

After they graduate from a car seat, the safest place for young people to sit is the middle of the back seat, as long as there’s a seat belt (lap and shoulder belts) to use in that position.

When a child is 13 years old and wants to ride in the front seat, parents can further protect them from injury by taking the following steps:

  • Move the front seat as far back as it can go and away from where the airbag would deploy. Most crashes affect the front of a car, making this position the least likely to take impact.
  • Always require your child to wear a seat belt.
  • Have your child wear their seat belt properly with their back against the seat so they’re further from the dashboard. The seat belt should go across the upper chest, not the neck. A lap belt should lay across the lap, not on the stomach.

Even if a 13-year-old weighs more than 150 pounds, they may still need to use a booster seat if they’re under 4 feet, 9 inches tall. A seat belt may not fit properly at this height.

Some states have laws regarding when a child can sit in the front seat. Police officers can write tickets to parents and caregivers who aren’t obeying the law.

Life stages and car seat safety

Using the right size seat and applying safety straps appropriately is vital to keeping a child safe in the car. Never put a rear-facing car seat in front of an active air bag. If a car seat can’t be placed in the back seat, disable the passenger airbag to reduce the risk for injury.

The following are some guidelines by age to using the appropriate car seat:

Birth to age 2

Children should ride in a rear-facing car seat for as long as possible, usually until they’re at least 2 or until they reach the upper weight limit, which is 40 pounds or more.

Shop for a rear-facing car seat here.

This type of car seat cushions a child’s delicate neck and spinal cord. If you start with an infant carrier, change to a convertible car seat when they outgrow it, but leave the car seat rear-facing.

Ages 2 to 8 (or older)

Children should ride in a forward-facing seat for as long as possible until they reach the upper height or weight limit of their seat. Buy one online.

This car seat protects against forward movement should a crash occur. The seat should have the weight and height limits listed. Usually, the maximum weight limit is between 40 and 65 pounds.

Ages 8 to 12

When a child has outgrown the weight and height limits for a forward-facing seat, they’ll need a belt-positioning booster seat. Shop for one now.

This helps a child sit at the safest angle and height to prevent injuries in a car accident.

Children will usually stay in this booster seat until they’re over 4 feet, 9 inches tall. This booster seat ensures the seat belt fits over the strongest parts of a child’s body so they’re less likely to be injured in a crash.

Children older than 13

While teenagers can ride in the front seat, they should always wear their seat belts.

At each stage, a car seat or booster is intended to position a child at the safest and most secure angle to protect them against impact and car accidents.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates the lives of 248 children under 5 years old were saved by car seats in 2015.

The bottom line

Even low-impact crashes when a young person is in the front seat can cause significant damage if a child isn’t big or old enough to sit in the front seat. As a result, it’s important for caregivers and parents to practice strict rules for car safety each and every time.

Many local fire departments, hospitals, and other community organizations offer car seat installation and inspection stations. Parents can find these by visiting or calling the following resources:

  • Call 1-866-SEATCHECK (866-732-8243)
  • Visit SeatCheck.org from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to register a child’s car seat and receive safety updates. They also offer a map of car seat inspection locations.

In addition, parents should model good driving behavior. Always buckle up so your children will when they start driving on their own.

Last medically reviewed on July 23, 2018

  • Parenthood
  • Life

How we reviewed this article:

Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We avoid using tertiary references. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

  • AAP updates recommendations on car seats for children. (2018).
    aap.org/en-us/about-the-aap/aap-press-room/Pages/AAP-Updates-Recommendations-on-Car-Seats-for-Children.aspx
  • Air bags: Not for children. (n.d.).
    stanfordchildrens.org/en/topic/default?id=air-bags-and-kids-1-986
  • Car seats and booster seats. (n.d.).
    nhtsa.gov/equipment/car-seats-and-booster-seats
  • Child passenger safety. (2018).
    cdc.gov/features/passengersafety/index.html
  • Durbin DR, et al. (2018). Child passenger safety.
    pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/142/5/e20182460

Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available.

Current Version

Jul 23, 2018

By

Rachel Nall, MSN, CRNA

Edited By

Nizam Khan (TechSpace)

Medically Reviewed By

Karen Richardson Gill, MD

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When can children sit in the front seat of a car: age limit

When can a child sit in the front seat?

Although the Federal Highway Traffic Safety Act has long since been amended to regulate the rules for transporting children in automobiles, many still do not know when children can be put in the front passenger seat of a car. If you want a quick and easy answer, let's just say that you can transport a child in the front seat without restraints or in a child seat from the age of 12. Naturally, the child must be fastened with a seat belt.

This norm is regulated by the Rules of the road (clause 22.9 of the traffic rules of the Russian Federation):

Clause 22.9. Transportation of children under 7 years of age in a passenger car and a truck cab, which are designed with seat belts or seat belts and an ISOFIX child restraint system <*>, must be carried using child restraint systems (devices) that comply with weight and height of the child.

Transportation of children aged from 7 to 11 years old (inclusive !!!) in a passenger car and a truck cab, the design of which provides for seat belts or seat belts and an ISOFIX child restraint system, must be carried out using child restraint systems ( devices) corresponding to the weight and height of the child, or using seat belts , and in the front seat of a car - only using child restraint systems (devices) appropriate for the weight and height of the child .

The installation of child restraint systems (devices) in a car and a truck cab and placement of children in them must be carried out in accordance with the instruction manual for these systems (devices).

Here's a simple chart to help you determine if you can transport a child without a front seat, and to help you understand when you must use child restraints or other child restraints in your car. devices, and in which cases this can be done at will, but not necessarily by law, regardless of which seat the child is sitting in (front or rear):

See also

7 errors when transporting children in a car

Front seat (passenger car)

  • If a child is from 0 to 7 years old, in the front seat you can only transport the child in a child seat or other restraint.
  • If the child is between the ages of 7 and 11 (inclusive), the front seat can also only be carried in a child seat.
  • If your child is 12 years of age or older , starting on their 12th birthday, you may carry your child in the front passenger seat without using a child restraint.

Rear seat (passenger car)

  • If the child is between 0 and 7 years old, you can only transport the child in the rear seat in a child seat or other restraint.
  • If the child is between 7 and 11 (inclusive), it can be transported in the back seat of a car with or without a child restraint. When transporting children from 7 to 11 years of age without child seats, they must be fastened with seat belts.
  • Please note that if the design of the car or the features of the seat device do not provide for seat belts, , according to the current legislation, a child from 7 to 11 years old can be transported not only without a car seat, but also unfastened. But, as you understand, it is very DANGEROUS!

Height and age of the child: both factors affect his safety

But we would not advise you to rush to put your child in the front passenger seat. The reason it's so important to keep our kids in the back seat for as long as possible is because the impact of most car accidents is on the front of the car. Anyone, including adults, is safer in the back seat because they are farther away from impact. Yes, according to statistics, most accidents are associated with a blow to the front of the car.

In addition, the front airbags are designed to protect an adult over 150 cm tall and weighing at least 60-65 kg. If the child is too low, the airbag may hit him in the face or neck; and even if a child is properly buckled in a seatbelt (with an extra seat if necessary), they are more likely than an adult to be injured by an airbag, says car design engineer David Sadakyan. Here's what he told our publication:0005

The danger of transporting even a tall child in the front seat of a car is connected with this. The airbag in an accident deploys very quickly - within 1/20 of a second. At this high speed, the airbag can deploy at a speed of 320 kilometers per hour. This, of course, will lead to the fact that the child will be injured. Moreover, the smaller and lighter the child sitting in the front seat, the more difficult the consequences will be.

Children who sit in the front seat before they get bigger are at risk of head injury due to airbag impact when deployed during an accident. Also, the front passenger airbag in some cases can be dangerous even for those children who are in a child seat. This is why it is so important when transporting a child in a child seat in the front seat that the airbag is deactivated.

Children's skeletal systems are also still developing, which means that even if your 12 year old is almost as tall as you, his body cannot withstand collisions as effectively as your body. In particular, the bones in a child's hips may not yet be fully developed, which can cause the lap belt to move up onto the abdomen instead of remaining low on the hips, resulting in serious injury in a car collision.

See also

Do child car seats have an expiration date?

How to transport a child safely in the front seat?

According to David Sadakyan, when it's time for your teenager to enjoy the freedom of being in the front seat of a car, there are a number of steps you can take to make sure your ride is as safe as possible.

  • Move the front seat as far back as possible from that seat , where the airbag will deploy in the event of an accident. Most crashes tend to involve the front of the car, making the safety of a child in the front seat less secure than in the back seats. To somehow minimize the risk of serious injury, move the front seat as far back as possible. But better try to transport children of any age in the back seats.
  • Always ask your child to fasten their seat belt.
  • Check that your child's seat belt is fastened correctly . If the child cannot buckle himself, do it for him. Also try to keep it as far away from the dashboard as possible. Attention! The seat belt should go across the top of the chest, not across the child's neck. The waist belt should rest on your knees, not on your stomach.

When can a child sit in the front seat?

24 07 2020

  • How to safely transport a child in a car?
  • How do I choose the right car seat for my child?
  • How to properly fasten a child?
  • Where to buy child car seats?

Summer is already in full swing and many people are actively planning their holidays. Probably most of them go on short or long trips at this time. At the moment, when traveling to other countries is not very safe, it is better to travel within your own country.

Traveling by car and family is becoming more and more popular because it is convenient and offers other benefits. However, even when traveling by car, several important conditions must be observed, especially if there are small children in the family. When traveling, keep in mind that children should be transported in a child seat or on a stand.

In the continuation of the article, you will find some valuable tips that will come in handy when traveling with children.

How to safely transport a child in a car?

Since traveling by car with the whole family is an important adventure, it is necessary to think about each passenger and also make sure that everyone is safe.

To ensure this, a number of regulations must be taken into account, such as:

  • When traveling with children, they are advised to sit in the back seat of the vehicle. Various studies have shown that sitting in the back seat is 70% safer than sitting in the front. There are studies that have shown that the safest seat is in the rear center seat.

  • Passengers who are less than 150 cm tall should not sit in the front seat of the car, but should use a suitable car seat or stand while sitting in the back.
  • A child over 150 cm can sit in the front without using a car seat or stand.

How do I choose the right car seat for my child?

Choosing a car seat is not easy, but choosing the right car seat will increase your child's safety. The model should be chosen according to the height, age and weight of the child.

In total, there are 4 ways to transport a child:

  • The first way is against the direction of travel. In this way it is recommended to transport children under the age of 2 years. When choosing a car seat for children of this age, it must be taken into account that the child's head is at least 3 centimeters below the top of the seat back.
  • The second way is in the direction of travel. So sit children who have already reached the age of 1 year and 3 months, or those who weigh at least 9kg. These seats are suitable for children weighing up to 36 kg. For children of this age, it is important that the center of the ear is not lower than the top edge of the back of the car seat. It should also be noted that such seats must be placed at the rear of the vehicle and secured with a seat belt. These types of car seats have separate seat belts.
  • The third way is to use a stand. Thus, children from 4 to 12 years old are transported. The child is wearing car seat belts, so you can only use cars that are equipped with them.
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  • Fourth way - without car seats or stands. Children at least 150 cm tall can sit in the front seat while wearing a seat belt.

How to properly fasten your child?

Even if you only have to drive a few kilometers, it is important to properly seat and fasten your child so that everything is safe during the trip.

Correct fastening of a child in the front seat of a car:

  • For safety reasons, the child must be seated in the back. It is best if a child under the age of 3 is transported in the opposite direction of travel. Up to 15 months, the child must be transported in this way. The reason why you should do this is quite simple - a small child has a heavy head, so in the event of a traffic accident, a huge load is placed on the neck, which can lead to unpleasant consequences.