How old can a child be before they can sit in the front seat?

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Gerbil333

Diamond Member
Jan 28, 2002
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Around 11. In binary. I have no idea. I think I rode in the front seat by the time I was in kindergarten.

Originally posted by: LikeLinus
Depends on State laws.

I think its over 12 and 100 lbs in TN.
Click to expand...

That seems high. By that definition, some girls might not be allowed to ride in the front seat until their late teens.

 
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Continuity28

Golden Member
Jul 2, 2005
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Height and weight do have a part in it, but age is also a factor. You can have the biggest baby in the world and it's still never appropriate to have them in the front seat with an airbag.

I believe 13 and over is the usual standard, being at least of a normal height and weight for 13+.
 
Jadow

Jadow

Diamond Member
Feb 12, 2003
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that's insane. they need to change the way they make cars then. I was sitting in the front seat from about 4 on.

What happens if you have a truck with just 1 row of seats, you can't ride with a kid?
 
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LikeLinus

Lifer
Jul 25, 2001
11,518
670
126
Here's the TN state law. As stated..it depends on where you live.

Rear-facing infant seats in the back seat from birth to at least 1 year old and at least 20 pounds

Forward-facing toddler seats in the back seat from age 1 to about age 4 and 20 to 40 pounds

Booster seats in the back seat from about age 4 and 40 pounds to at least age 8, unless 4'9"

Safety belts at age 8 or older or taller than 4'9". All children 12 and under should ride in the back seat.

 
yhelothar

yhelothar

Lifer
Dec 11, 2002
18,409
39
91
Originally posted by: Gerbil333
Around 11. In binary. I have no idea. I think I rode in the front seat by the time I was in kindergarten.

Originally posted by: LikeLinus
Depends on State laws.

I think its over 12 and 100 lbs in TN.
Click to expand...

That seems high. By that definition, some girls might not be allowed to ride in the front seat until their late teens.
Click to expand...

Not to mention quite a few girls never even reach 100lbs, especially small statured asians.
 
L

LikeLinus

Lifer
Jul 25, 2001
11,518
670
126
Originally posted by: Jadow
that's insane. they need to change the way they make cars then. I was sitting in the front seat from about 4 on.

What happens if you have a truck with just 1 row of seats, you can't ride with a kid?
Click to expand...

Most 95+ trucks have an off switch (done with the key) that you can turn the airbag off.
 
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Continuity28

Golden Member
Jul 2, 2005
1,653
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76
Originally posted by: Jadow
that's insane. they need to change the way they make cars then. I was sitting in the front seat from about 4 on.

What happens if you have a truck with just 1 row of seats, you can't ride with a kid?
Click to expand...

A utility truck isn't a family automobile... instead of them changing the way airbags work, maybe someone with only one work vehicle should have planned ahead for family?
 
Shawn

Shawn

Lifer
Apr 20, 2003
32,236
53
91
Originally posted by: virtualgames0
Originally posted by: Gerbil333
Around 11. In binary. I have no idea. I think I rode in the front seat by the time I was in kindergarten.

Originally posted by: LikeLinus
Depends on State laws.

I think its over 12 and 100 lbs in TN.
Click to expand...

That seems high. By that definition, some girls might not be allowed to ride in the front seat until their late teens.
Click to expand...

Not to mention quite a few girls never even reach 100lbs, especially small statured asians.
Click to expand...

My sister is 16 and she's 85lbs. She drives. It would probably be a good idea to have the airbag disabled though.
 
L

LikeLinus

Lifer
Jul 25, 2001
11,518
670
126
Originally posted by: Continuity28
Originally posted by: Jadow
that's insane. they need to change the way they make cars then. I was sitting in the front seat from about 4 on.

What happens if you have a truck with just 1 row of seats, you can't ride with a kid?
Click to expand...

A utility truck isn't a family automobile... instead of them changing the way airbags work, maybe someone with only one work vehicle should have planned ahead for family?
Click to expand...

Actually, reading the law (for TN again)

Children age nine (9) through age twelve (12), or any child through twelve (12) years of age, measuring five feet (5') or more in height, must be secured in a seat belt system. It is recommended that any such child be placed in the rear seat, if available. (Note: If the child is not between age nine (9) and age twelve (12), but is five feet (5') or more in height, he/she must still use a seat belt system meeting federal motor vehicle safety standards.)


So if it isn't available, they only need to wear their seatbelts. Moving forward I'm sure the law will change...but it can't requirement right now.
 
L

LikeLinus

Lifer
Jul 25, 2001
11,518
670
126
Originally posted by: virtualgames0
Originally posted by: Gerbil333
Around 11. In binary. I have no idea. I think I rode in the front seat by the time I was in kindergarten.

Originally posted by: LikeLinus
Depends on State laws.

I think its over 12 and 100 lbs in TN.
Click to expand...

That seems high. By that definition, some girls might not be allowed to ride in the front seat until their late teens.
Click to expand...

Not to mention quite a few girls never even reach 100lbs, especially small statured asians.
Click to expand...

I'm probably wrong about the weight, but I know there is a requirement. It's an OR situation. I wasn't saying anyone under 100 lbs..you just have to be a certain weight and must be a certain age. You couldn't place a 60 lb 12 yr old in the front seat with an airbag. I thinkthats how the law works.
 
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daveymark

Lifer
Sep 15, 2003
10,573
1
0
Doing some research, it looks as though if they're under two years, it's pretty much a requirement to put them in the backseat. Studies show that the backseat is much safer for the child, although it's not necessarily a requirement that they sit in the back as they get older, just that they're properly restrained
 
M

mercanucaribe

Banned
Oct 20, 2004
9,763
1
0
Originally posted by: LikeLinus
Originally posted by: Continuity28
Originally posted by: Jadow
that's insane. they need to change the way they make cars then. I was sitting in the front seat from about 4 on.

What happens if you have a truck with just 1 row of seats, you can't ride with a kid?
Click to expand...

A utility truck isn't a family automobile... instead of them changing the way airbags work, maybe someone with only one work vehicle should have planned ahead for family?
Click to expand...

Actually, reading the law (for TN again)

Children age nine (9) through age twelve (12), or any child through twelve (12) years of age, measuring five feet (5') or more in height, must be secured in a seat belt system. It is recommended that any such child be placed in the rear seat, if available. (Note: If the child is not between age nine (9) and age twelve (12), but is five feet (5') or more in height, he/she must still use a seat belt system meeting federal motor vehicle safety standards.)


So if it isn't available, they only need to wear their seatbelts. Moving forward I'm sure the law will change...but it can't requirement right now.
Click to expand...

If you're less than 9 it's okay if you don't wear a seatbelt? :confused:
 
G

godmare

Diamond Member
Sep 25, 2002
5,121
0
0
Originally posted by: Continuity28
Originally posted by: Jadow
that's insane. they need to change the way they make cars then. I was sitting in the front seat from about 4 on.

What happens if you have a truck with just 1 row of seats, you can't ride with a kid?
Click to expand...

A utility truck isn't a family automobile... instead of them changing the way airbags work, maybe someone with only one work vehicle should have planned ahead for family?
Click to expand...

You can disable the passenger airbag in trucks, get your head out of your ass.

 
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