My sister is 9 and large for her age. can i let her sit in the front seat?

Question

she is 9 years old and weighs 80 lbs,, is 4'10 tall, almost the same height as me. we live in california.. she says some of her friends ride up front and she is embarrased...

Answer 1

yes it is completely okay

10 is about the time it is safe to sit up front

but 9 is just as safe.

Answer 2

in pa if they are over 4 ft. tall they only need a seat belt and they can ride in the front seat...

Answer 3

CHILD CAR SEAT RULES

1. BEFORE YOUR FIRST BIRTHDAY LESS THAN 20 POUNDS REAR-FACING INFANT-ONLY CAR SEAT OR CONVERTIBLE SEAT USED IN REAR-FACING POSITION, SECURED IN THE BACK SEAT OF THE CAR.

2. 20–35 POUNDS CONVERTIBLE SEAT USED IN REAR-FACING POSITION, SECURED IN THE BACK SEAT OF THE CAR. LOOK FOR A CHILD SAFETY SEAT THAT IS RECOMMENDED FOR HEAVIER INFANTS.

3. WHEN YOU ARE 1, 2, 3, AND 4 20–40 POUNDS FACE FORWARD IN A CONVERTIBLE SEAT OR A FORWARD-FACING-ONLY SEAT OR HIGH-BACK BOOSTER/HARNESS IN THE BACK SEAT OF THE CAR.

4. WHEN YOU ARE 4, 5, 6, 7, OR 8 LESS THAN 4’9” (57 INCHES) TALL BELT-POSITIONING BOOSTER SEAT (NO BACK) OR HIGH-BACK BELT-POSITIONING BOOSTER SEAT IN THE BACK SEAT OF THE CAR.

5. WHEN YOU ARE 8, 9, 10, 11, OR 12 MORE THAN 4’9” (57 INCHES) TALL MAY USE AN ADULT SEATBELT, BUT MUST KEEP YOUR BACK AGAINST THE SEAT BACK, YOUR KNEES BENT OVER THE EDGE OF THE SEAT, AND YOUR FEET FLAT ON THE FLOOR IN THE BACK SEAT OF THE CAR.

6. WHEN YOU ARE MORE THAN 12 YEARS OLD MORE THAN 4’9” (57 INCHES) TALL MAY SIT IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT OF THE CAR WITH AN ADULT SEATBELT.

Answer 4

Most seat belt laws in the U.S. seem to follow the template that over 4'9" a booster seat is no longer needed and the regular seat belt can be used because the shoulder strap is no longer a factor in injuries. However, the majority (if not all) of auto manufacturers recommend the all children under 12 should be seated in the rear because of the possibility of the airbag causing a fatality and the general concensus is that the back seat is safest for kids in the event of a collision.

I went through the same thing with my 7 year old son. He's small for his age and thought that sitting in a booster seat made him look like a baby. I told him that his safety is far more important than other people's opinions. She's your sister... what's more important?