Children in the Front Seat?

Question

I know that there is not a very binding law about children sitting the "shotgun" seat of a car. From a safety point of view, when is it safe for a child to sit in front. I have been arguing with a friend about this for a while. She says that her son weighs enough to sit in from, while he is only 11. SOmewhere I read that 12 is the safest age to start sitting in front because your bone structure is developed enough to handle the airbag. Is this true?

Answer 1

It depends on the weight and height of the child. I don't know what the exact ratio is though. Personally, I would now let my 11 year old sit in the front because of airbags. Airbags can be very dangerous for children!

Answer 2

There really is no actual need for a child to sit in the front seat. But in full honesty, it isn't the age of a child that is most important, it is weight and height. I was about 13 when I first sat in the front, but I was also really small. It's a judgment call, but explain to the child the full dangers before putting them up there.

Answer 3

yeah 12 is the age. it says on that thingy u pull down so the sun wont get in your eyes. lol (sry idk wut the thingy is called)

Answer 4

Children vary too much.  Some adults, though very few, don't legally meet the requirements to sit up front.  You have to make decisions based upon both the law and the individual.

Airbags are very popular and very dangerous.  They only work for a specific set of circumstances that don't always exist in a wreck.  We're stuck with them...tough.  I walked away from a collision with a cow.  I suffered no injuries.  A co-worker had a collision with a deer.  He suffered very very bad bruising.  Otherwise the vehicles and collisions were similar.  He suffered more because of his airbag.  Airbags save lives.  Airbags take lives.  Good luck.

Answer 5

They should be sitting in the back for safety reasons, small adults and children are at risk from the airbags.  Better to be safe and keep them in the back seat.

Answer 6

It is always more  dangerous to sit in the front seat.