Anonymous
Post 04/15/2019 18:16     Subject: My friend puts her baby rear facing in the front seat
Anonymous wrote:OP here.

So is it illegal or not? I don’t want to give false info.

And PP who mentioned that it is “safer” in Scandinavia. That was my thought also. She’s European, and I can totally see how she might think it is safer than turning around.


The issue is does she have a switch to turn off the airbag (they can be installed) or does she have an older car and then its fine.
Anonymous
Post 04/15/2019 09:31     Subject: My friend puts her baby rear facing in the front seat
Anonymous wrote:OP here.

So is it illegal or not? I don’t want to give false info.

And PP who mentioned that it is “safer” in Scandinavia. That was my thought also. She’s European, and I can totally see how she might think it is safer than turning around.


Illegal in VA if car has backseat. Not illegal in DC and Maryland.
Anonymous
Post 04/15/2019 08:46     Subject: My friend puts her baby rear facing in the front seat
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:OP here.

So is it illegal or not? I don’t want to give false info.

And PP who mentioned that it is “safer” in Scandinavia. That was my thought also. She’s European, and I can totally see how she might think it is safer than turning around.


If only you had the Google, OP.

http://www.vdh.virginia.gov/child-passenger-safety/

http://www.vdh.virginia.gov/child-passenger-safety/virginia-laws/


https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacodefull/title46.2/chapter10/article13/






The short answer is yes, it’s illegal if the car has a backseat.

While she might be safe in the front seat, because the airbag automatically turns off, its still illegal.
Anonymous
Post 04/15/2019 08:37     Subject: My friend puts her baby rear facing in the front seat
Anonymous wrote:OP here.

So is it illegal or not? I don’t want to give false info.

And PP who mentioned that it is “safer” in Scandinavia. That was my thought also. She’s European, and I can totally see how she might think it is safer than turning around.


Rear facing is safest. It's the front seat that's the problem.
Anonymous
Post 04/15/2019 07:39     Subject: My friend puts her baby rear facing in the front seat
Anonymous wrote:OP here.

So is it illegal or not? I don’t want to give false info.

And PP who mentioned that it is “safer” in Scandinavia. That was my thought also. She’s European, and I can totally see how she might think it is safer than turning around.


If only you had the Google, OP.

http://www.vdh.virginia.gov/child-passenger-safety/

http://www.vdh.virginia.gov/child-passenger-safety/virginia-laws/


https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacodefull/title46.2/chapter10/article13/




Anonymous
Post 04/15/2019 06:33     Subject: My friend puts her baby rear facing in the front seat
OP here.

So is it illegal or not? I don’t want to give false info.

And PP who mentioned that it is “safer” in Scandinavia. That was my thought also. She’s European, and I can totally see how she might think it is safer than turning around.
Anonymous
Post 04/14/2019 23:15     Subject: My friend puts her baby rear facing in the front seat
Anonymous wrote:OP here.

Surprised at this, as DCUM is almost always in the MYOB camp.

I didn’t know it was illegal.

She’s very sweet, and I suspect she doesn’t know it’s dangerous/against the law. She is such a sweet, kind wonderful mother and I am enjoying our budding friendship. I am cautious to upset her or embarrass her. I wish I could just do an anonymous call to the police.


I'm a foreigner and I would be grateful if someone told me this in a way that wouldn't make me feel ignorant or dumb - it is indeed a cultural thing (and a safety thing)
Anonymous
Post 04/14/2019 22:37     Subject: My friend puts her baby rear facing in the front seat
Anonymous wrote:If the airbag deploys, it will kill the baby. You MUST tell her, OP.


And according to PP, advanced airbags that won't deploy for children have been required in all cars since 2006.