Riding in the front seat of the car is a sort of rite of passage for kids. It’s seen as cool, and it makes them feel like they are not a “little kid” anymore. Parents should reiterate that even though their children may beg to sit up front in the car with you, it really isn’t very cool if it is unsafe.
Much like height and weight restrictions for riding on rollercoasters at an amusement park, riding in the front seat has restrictions as well. There are laws to be taken into consideration, first and foremost. A parent should always trust their instinct as well, if you feel like it isn’t safe for your child to ride in the front seat, make them hop in the back!
- Riding in the Back Seat is Safer for Children.
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- Until children reach the age of 13, or a height of 4’9” they should NOT be riding in the front seat.
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- There is an exception to this rule: If there are no safe vacant seats in the back for children, a child can ride in the front seat as long as some precautions are taken.
- Put the seat as far back from the dashboard as possible.
- Disable the airbag in the front passenger seat. A deployed airbag can be act like a weapon if the child is under the height or weight limit.
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- An often looked over fact is that having children sit in the front seat can increase the chances of a Distracted Driver! Parents are more likely to engage with their child if they are in the front seat. This can lead to taking their eyes of the road, or their hands off the wheel. Children in the back seats are less distracting to their parents then when they sit up front.
If you or a loved one was injured or killed in an automobile accident due to another driver’s negligence, contact my office immediately. As your Ohio car accident attorney, I’ll be there for you, and I’ll Make Them Pay!®
Author: Tim Misny | For over four decades, personal injury lawyer Tim Misny has represented the injured victim in in birth injury, medical malpractice, and catastrophic injury/wrongful death cases, serving Cleveland, Akron/Canton, Columbus, Dayton and neighboring communities. You can reach Tim by email at misnylaw.com/ask-tim-a-question/ or call at 877.944.4373.