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.