It’s not about height/weight although that is part of the belt fitting correctly. The front seat shouldn’t be for children under 13 because their bone density is not as strong/developed. The front seats are more dangerous than the backseat in an accident so wait as long as you can. Car seat tech.

Anonymous wrote:13. It’s not about size/weight it’s about bone age/ossification.

This.

My kids have classmates who have been riding in the front seat since first grade. Doesn't make it okay.

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Wow this is the dumbest take yet. Your 12.5 year old has plenty of time to learn how to drive!

There is no law about this, only recommendations. It isn’t illegal for someone to let an 11 yr old ride in the front seat.

My DD started at 12. She is my size, well into puberty, and it cut down on sibling fighting in the car by a ton. Less fighting and distractions make me a safer driver, therefore she is also safer in the car.

My son is 11. I don’t let him. He is much smaller and hadn’t started puberty. Some of his friends do and have since 10. I don’t care. He doesn’t ask.

I would say 13 if i had a back seat, i also plan to keep him in a booster until he reaches the maximum height.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:13. It’s not about size/weight it’s about bone age/ossification.

SO at 13….. what happens?

https://www.baltimoresun.com/bs-mtblog-2009-07-kids_in_front_car_seat-story.html

https://saferide4kids.com/blog/can-children-sit-in-the-front-seat-car/

Interesting, this one says it is about the iliac crest (hip) and that is ready around 12.

“According to a study in Paediatr Child Health, children who are 12 years old or younger have iliac crests that are less developed than those of adults. (The iliac crest is the part of the hip bone which keeps the seat belt properly positioned on the hips.) This can allow the seat belt to ride up over the abdomen, causing seat belt syndrome.”

The rib cage isn’t really ready at 13 (is it at 15.5?)

“Children do not have fully developed breast bones or sternum, yet. While this may not fully develop until a few years later, waiting until at least 13 gives it more time to get stronger. Without a mature skeletal system, a child in at increased risk of injury, especially if the child is also in the deployment zone of an airbag.”

I mean for just general safety EVERYONE should probably be in the back too as it seems safer based on statistics. Most people are letting their kids in the front even closer to the airbag at 15.5 if not before. And at least for a while, cars need drivers and driving is risky.

Thanks for the link- gives me something to think about.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:13. It’s not about size/weight it’s about bone age/ossification.

SO at 13….. what happens?

https://www.baltimoresun.com/bs-mtblog-2009-07-kids_in_front_car_seat-story.html

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:i have 95+% kids and waited until almost 13. Yes, they were bigger than one grandma before then, but had the neck bone/muscle development of the pre-teens they were.

And then they drive 2.5 years later, in the drivers seat? When do the neck/bone muscles develop to the “proper” strength? Age 14? 14.5? Please send a link because I may have my 12 y o (5’7’ 125 lb) change to the back, but I am not understanding the magic age where strength is developed or what features to look for in a neck for this. Thanks!

Assume your 12 year old is a girl?

Anonymous wrote:13. It’s not about size/weight it’s about bone age/ossification.

SO at 13….. what happens?

Anonymous wrote:i have 95+% kids and waited until almost 13. Yes, they were bigger than one grandma before then, but had the neck bone/muscle development of the pre-teens they were.

And then they drive 2.5 years later, in the drivers seat? When do the neck/bone muscles develop to the “proper” strength? Age 14? 14.5? Please send a link because I may have my 12 y o (5’7’ 125 lb) change to the back, but I am not understanding the magic age where strength is developed or what features to look for in a neck for this. Thanks!

Anonymous wrote:legal age in MD is 12

This is not the law in MD.

I let my 11yo sit up front for local trips – he’s taller and heavier than I am.

Anonymous wrote:i have 95+% kids and waited until almost 13. Yes, they were bigger than one grandma before then, but had the neck bone/muscle development of the pre-teens they were.

Also, my 200# husband was nearly killed in an accident walking distance from home so "in the neighborhood" changes nothing for me.

13. It’s not about size/weight it’s about bone age/ossification.

i have 95+% kids and waited until almost 13. Yes, they were bigger than one grandma before then, but had the neck bone/muscle development of the pre-teens they were.