Anderson Injury Lawyers | November 22, 2024 | Car Accidents
Transporting children safely is a top priority for parents. The decision about where to seat them isn’t just about convenience but also about reducing the chances that they’ll get hurt if there’s a car accident. Every state has its own recommendations for car seat safety, including age and size requirements for kids riding in the front seat.
Why Age Matters
In general, children are at a higher risk of injury from airbags in the front seat because of their smaller size and developing bodies. When the airbag deploys in a collision, it does so with a great amount of force, and that can prove dangerous for younger passengers.
Guidelines provided by experts, including the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), generally suggest keeping kids in the back seat until they turn 13. Various research has shown that children are better able to withstand the airbag impact at around that age, so having them ride in the back will keep them safer until they get older.
Front Seat Requirements By State
This list covers the basics, but laws can and sometimes do change, so it’s a good idea to check into the latest guidelines from your state’s Department of Transportation and general safety advice from groups like the AAP.
Here’s a look at the specific requirements for each state:
- Alabama: Kids have to sit in the back seat until age 12
- Alaska: Recommended that children ride in the back until age 13
- Arizona: Children under 8 have to be in a car seat; suggested that kids wait until age 13 to ride in front
- Arkansas: Kids under age 6 or 60 pounds have to use a car seat in the back
- California: Kids younger than 8 must sit in the back; no specifics listed for the front seat once they’re above booster age
- Colorado: Children under 13 are recommended to sit in the back
- Connecticut: Kids under 13 should be in the back seat when possible
- Delaware: Children should stay in the back until age 12
- Florida: Kids younger than 5 must be in a car seat or booster in the back
- Georgia: Kids under 8 have to sit in the back, though it’s advised for everyone under 13
- Hawaii: Children under 8 have to be in a car seat or booster
- Idaho: Back seat is recommended for kids under 13
- Illinois: Children under 9 have to use a booster seat and are advised to stay in the back until they’re 13
- Indiana: Kids under 8 have to use a booster regardless of where they sit
- Iowa: Recommended that children younger than 12 sit in the back
- Kansas: Back seat is advised for everyone under age 13
- Kentucky: Safety advocates recommend kids under 13 sit in the back
- Louisiana: Children under 13 have to sit in the back when available
- Maine: Kids under 12 should be in the back
- Maryland: Kids younger than 13 are advised to sit in the back
- Massachusetts: Recommended for kids to sit in the back until they reach age 13
- Michigan: Kids under age 4 must sit in the back; it’s advised for older children to stay in the back until they turn 13
- Minnesota: Kids under 13 should stay in the back
- Mississippi: Back seat is recommended for those younger than 12
- Missouri: Recommended for kids under 13 to sit in the back
- Montana: No specific age restrictions
- Nebraska: Advised for kids under 13 to sit in the back
- Nevada: Back seat is recommended until age 13
- New Hampshire: No age restrictions for the front seat
- New Jersey: Kids under 8 and less than 57 inches tall must ride in the back
- New Mexico: Back seat is advised until kids are 13
- New York: Children younger than 13 should be in the back seat
- North Carolina: Children under age 5 and 40 pounds have to ride in the back when it’s available
- North Dakota: Back seat is recommended for kids younger than 13
- Ohio: Kids should sit in the back until they’re 13 years old
- Oklahoma: Back seat is recommended until age 13
- Oregon: Children should be in the back until they turn 13
- Pennsylvania: Kids under 13 should ride in the back
- Rhode Island: Kids younger than 8 and shorter than 57 inches tall must sit in the back seat
- South Carolina: Children under 13 should sit in the back
- South Dakota: Back seat is recommended for kids until age 13
- Tennessee: Children should sit in the back until age 13
- Texas: Kids younger than 13 should sit in the back; children under 8 years old have to use a booster unless they’re taller than 4′9″
- Utah: Back seat is advised until age 13
- Vermont: Kids under 13 should sit in the back
- Virginia: Recommended for kids to sit in the back until they’re 13
- Washington: Children under 13 should be in the back when possible
- West Virginia: Advised for children to ride in the back until they’re 13
- Wisconsin: Kids under 13 should sit in the back
- Wyoming: Children should be in the back until age 13
As you can see, the vast majority of states generally follow expert guidelines and want kids in the back seat until they turn 13. However, only some of them have specific laws in place that strictly forbid young children from riding in the front.
Safety First, Always
Ultimately, choosing when a child is allowed to ride in the front seat is generally left up to the parents. Consider expert recommendations and your car’s specific safety features, and make a judgment call based on what you feel comfortable with. Every parent wants what’s best for their child, and taking extra precautions regarding car safety is a great way to ensure their well-being. If you have any questions, contact a personal injury lawyer to schedule a free consultation.
Contact Our Car Accident Law Firm in Texas
If you’ve been injured in an accident in Fort Worth or Dallas and need legal help, contact our car accident lawyers at Anderson Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation. We proudly serve Tarrant County, Dallas County, and throughout Texas.
Anderson Injury Lawyers – Fort Worth Office
1310 W El Paso St, Fort Worth, TX 76102
(817) 294-1900
Anderson Injury Lawyers – Fort Worth Office (Secondary)
6618 Fossil Bluff Dr # 108, Fort Worth, TX 76137
(817) 631-4113
Anderson Injury Lawyers – Dallas Office
408 W Eighth St Suite 202, Dallas, TX 75208
(214) 327-8000
Anderson Injury Lawyers – Dallas Office (Secondary)
6301 Gaston Ave suite 610, Dallas, TX 75214
(469) 457-4711
