Is your child begging to ride shotgun? It’s a major milestone, but moving to the front seat isn't about their height or how much they plead—it's about their safety. The single most important factor is preventing serious injury from a deploying passenger-side airbag, and the answer to "when" is clearer than you might think.
The safest place for any child is in the back seat. Top safety experts, including the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), have a universal recommendation: all children aged 12 and under should ride properly restrained in the back. This isn't just an arbitrary number; it's based on critical skeletal development. A child’s bone structure is not yet mature enough to withstand the explosive force of a front airbag, which is designed to protect an average-sized adult and can be fatal for a child.
Even after they turn 13, safety doesn't stop there. The key is ensuring a proper seat belt fit without a booster. The lap belt must lie flat across the upper thighs (never the stomach), and the shoulder belt should cross the center of the chest and shoulder (never the neck or face). If the seat belt doesn't fit correctly, the child is not safe in the front and may need to remain in a booster seat in the back a little longer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What if my vehicle has no back seat?
A: In this rare case, and if the child must ride in the front, move the passenger seat as far back as possible. You must also ensure the passenger-side airbag is deactivated.
Q: Is it about height and weight or just age?
A: Age is the most reliable guideline. While laws may mention height or weight, safety agencies prioritize the age of 13 because a child's skeletal system is not mature enough before then.
Q: Can my child use a booster seat in the front seat?
A: No. Booster seats are designed to properly position a child for the vehicle’s seat belt and should always be used in the back seat for optimal safety and protection.
