Age for front seat

[Anonymous]

My son is 11, in 5th grade. Several of his friends his age ride in the front seat, and he's asking when he can. Everything I'm reading says not to allow it until age 13. Is that the rule you follow? Or do you go by height and weight? If you allow your child to ride in the front seat, do you make sure the airbag is OFF?

We have a Toyota Sienna.

[Anonymous]

Height/weight?

[Anonymous]

I have a 12 year old. He doesn't ride in the front unless all of the other seats are filled. Most of his friends do ride in the front seat. Ask your ped, but they should not be in the front.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Height/weight?

I need to measure and weigh him again. Is there a height and weight guideline for the front seat?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My son is 11, in 5th grade. Several of his friends his age ride in the front seat, and he's asking when he can. Everything I'm reading says not to allow it until age 13. Is that the rule you follow? Or do you go by height and weight? If you allow your child to ride in the front seat, do you make sure the airbag is OFF?

We have a Toyota Sienna.

if they are large enough to sit in the front seat you want to airbag to go off. I recently started letting my then 11 now 12 year sit up front but he is bigger than I am (5’-9”/ 150 lbs).

[Anonymous]

I let my 11YO. They are 5'5" and 125 pounds. Which is 2 inches and 25 pounds more than my MIL who rides in the front seat.

[Anonymous]

Op. My son is 90 lbs. 58".

[Anonymous]

legal age in MD is 12

[Anonymous]

I let my 10 y/o sit in the front seat. She’s as tall and heavy as her grandmother.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Op. My son is 90 lbs. 58".

I wouldn't. It's more about bone development. Sounds like he has not hit puberty yet. I wouldn't risk it, but he will tell you that "everyone else does it."

[Anonymous]

From the VA DMV website:

I know that a child under age 12 should not ride in the front seat. But, if the child is over age 12, are there height/weight requirements, in addition to age?

While there are no height/weight requirements, children are much safer seated and properly restrained in the back seat regardless of age or the presence of an air bag. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), putting a child in the back seat instead of the front seat reduces the risk of death by 27 percent. Given this, if a child is very small, they are safer if restrained in the back seat.

Are air bags dangerous for children?

Yes. Air bags inflate at speeds up to 200 mph. The blast can severely injure or kill passengers sitting too close. Children are more likely than adults to sit too close to an air bag. As a rule of thumb, children under age 12 should ride properly restrained in the center of the back seat.

[Anonymous]

We started at age 12.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

From the VA DMV website:

I know that a child under age 12 should not ride in the front seat. But, if the child is over age 12, are there height/weight requirements, in addition to age?

While there are no height/weight requirements, children are much safer seated and properly restrained in the back seat regardless of age or the presence of an air bag. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), putting a child in the back seat instead of the front seat reduces the risk of death by 27 percent. Given this, if a child is very small, they are safer if restrained in the back seat.

Are air bags dangerous for children?

Yes. Air bags inflate at speeds up to 200 mph. The blast can severely injure or kill passengers sitting too close. Children are more likely than adults to sit too close to an air bag. As a rule of thumb, children under age 12 should ride properly restrained in the center of the back seat.

I mean… ok, but there are also side curtain airbags that deploy quickly. I’d rather put them up front so they can see how I watch traffic to turn, use the turn signals, and generally become more aware of the rules of the road. They will be driving in 3.5 years at age 12 and my kid pays better attention up front and I can explain why I am waiting to turn left, or turning into the left lane of the road more easily when they are upfront.

[Anonymous]

I’ll hold off for as long as i can. It is more about a persons bone development and ability to withstand the potential impact from the air bag. I am hoping to hold off until DS is 13. He is 10 now, 5 foot tall and about 100 pounds.

[Anonymous]

Depends also on the kinds of roads you are taking. Wouldn't do it on the highway or fast and dense city traffic. Not in the winter or at night either. But during the day around neighborhood where traffic is slower I don't worry. You're the driver so it's really up to you, not the peanut gallery. Trust your gut.