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There used to be warnings in cars on the sun visor that no one should sit in the front seat till they were 12 or older, but I don't see it any more in newer cars. The CDC still says all children 12 and younger should be in the back seat. But can you enforce that with parents? Like the whole car seat thing can you be held liable if they drive off with their kid whose under 12 in the front seat and get into an accident?
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It isn't a law so I don't see how you could be held liable.
KellyHomeschooling Mama to:
lovethis
dd12
ds 10
dd 8 -
I found this link. I don't think you would be responsible if a parent didn't follow the law (if your state even has one).
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Depends on your state law. Also are there other children on board.. if all the back seats (with belts) are taken then the biggest child can sit in front seat. Does the vehicle have a back seat? I know my son sits in the front seat of my Dads car in his booster. My Dad drives a jag and the back seat is more of a self and all carseats and boosters we own have at least a 50 percent overhang so that is not allowed.
I don't see how you would be liable. You turned over the kid to the parent so they are now responsible. It would be like the parent leaving your daycare and not putting on their own seatbelt and having an accident..would you be liable for that?Comment
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It is law in some states. I think it was due to the danger of front airbags, but now the front airbags can be turned off in most, if not all, newer vehicles. I would check your state's law.Comment
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Yes, it is 12 and under SHOULD not ride in the front due to air bags. However it isn't a law (not sure about every state). Like others said, most front airbags can be turned offComment
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Interesting, I didn't know some states made that a law. It looks like we live dangerously here in Iowa. Six and older can be in the front seat.
KellyHomeschooling Mama to:
lovethis
dd12
ds 10
dd 8Comment
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My sister-in-law was just in an accident a couple of weeks ago. Our 8 year old nephew was in the front seat
. He got severe burns on his face from the air bag, not to mention a broken nose and cheekbone. He was in the hospital for several days and at one point they had to put him under to check his eyes for damage (the swelling was so bad he couldn't open them). It literally looked like a bomb had gone off in his face. This was only at neighborhood speeds (so around 25-35 mph). I can't imagine what the injuries would have been at faster speeds!
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I believe it is not just age, but height and weight.
My daughter who is 16 cant ride in the front seat. Shes not even 5ft yet and only weights 84 pounds. I was told by the fire dept that kids should not ride in the front seat until they are ready to drive themselves...
but to each their own.Comment
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This varies by state, you should be able to check the state guidelines online. If you see this happening I suppose it's possible that you could be liable, same as if they are not using a car seat according the state law.
Where I live under 12 has to be in the back, I believe they can sit in the front IF the airbag can be turned off, many of the newer cars have this feature. Here they also have to be in a carseat/booster until age 8 regardless of height or weight.
To protect yourself maybe look up the guidelines and print them out along with an article on car seat safety (maybe get a brochure from the fire dept) and send it out with your next newsletter. There are many new guidelines parents may not be aware of anyway, such as using a rear facing car seat until age 3 or 4!Comment
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13 in CT and 80 lbs at leastComment
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LOL! My BFF from high school is 5 ft tall (barely) and weighs only 78 lbs.
She uses a pillow wedge under her butt and a cushion behind her in the driver's seat so she can reach the pedals and see over the dash...
I tease her all the time about buying a booster seat and if she ever rides with me, I always tell her she has to ride in the back seat so I don't get ticketed. :
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My kids are older and we didn't have such strict rules about booster back when they were growing up but I never allowed them to ride in the front seat. Even if it was only two of us.
I simply viewed it as safer in the back seat and as a parent ANY opportunity to be safer than normal was gladly accepted.Comment
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LOL! My BFF from high school is 5 ft tall (barely) and weighs only 78 lbs.
She uses a pillow wedge under her butt and a cushion behind her in the driver's seat so she can reach the pedals and see over the dash...
I tease her all the time about buying a booster seat and if she ever rides with me, I always tell her she has to ride in the back seat so I don't get ticketed. ::
My kids are older and we didn't have such strict rules about booster back when they were growing up but I never allowed them to ride in the front seat. Even if it was only two of us.
I simply viewed it as safer in the back seat and as a parent ANY opportunity to be safer than normal was gladly accepted.... that is my grandmother. she is only 4'9, so when she come I tell her sorry you have to sit in the back seat because you are royalty... I think I would crush her if I told her really why. In Egypt auto laws are much different, they really don't have too many...
I will have to tell my daughter what you say about your friend. I do not think that she will grow much more. I don't know how I got this tall, I am taller than my father. Maybe when she gets her DL I will gift her a phone book and pillow.....
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If you also read the manufacturers handbook it will give you "RECOMMENDED" weight and height to be able to sit passenger.
In both of my cars, there is a scale in the seat. If you don't weight enough to set off the airbag, it does not deploy on accident. It will automatically turn it off.Comment
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