I need some help. My husband and I are in a heated battle over whether or not the kids can be in the front seat. I say NO! He doesn't have a problem with it. (They are 8, 7 and 3...all small for their age.) Yesterday I went outside as my husband was leaving with our daughter (8) in the front seat which had an airbag! I nearly lost it. I stopped the van and told her to get in the back (which made me the "uncool parent". My husband didn't think it was a big deal. He also has been known to "double buckle" our two oldest kids...which means my 7 and 8 year old were buckled with the same seat belt. I hit the ceiling when I found out about this as well. But, once again, hubby didn't see the big deal "at least they're buckled" he said. ARGGG!
I've searched the internet and found lots of warnings....but, I already know about them, that's why I'm concerned. What I need are LAWS or SOMETHING that will get my hubby's attention. Can anyone help me?
2007-03-19 11:01:27 · 7 answers · asked by guatemama 4 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Safety
oops...sorry...I didn't even think to put what STATE I live in. We are in Kentucky. Everytime I searched on the net I did a general search. You guys had some good ideas. I guess I need to narrow my search to just "Kentucky's" laws on children and front seat riding. Thanks
2007-03-19 15:17:26 · update #1
Every state has slightly different laws. I would contact my local police department or secretary of states office and ask what the law is.
Your husbands attitude towards buckling the kids in is appalling! My husband, a retired state police sergeant, policed many accidents where people, young and old, were not buckled in or not buckled in properly and knew that they would have walked away from the accident if they had done it right. Your husband is gambling with the life of your children, he better get his act together or he is going to be responsible for the serious injury or death of one or all of your children.
In my opinion, all of your children should be in the back seat with each having his or her own seat belt. The youngest one should also still be in a car seat of some sort to further protect him or her.
If the kids are begging him to not be buckled in or want to sit in the front seat, tell him that sometimes he has to be the bad guy and make the kids do what they are told. I know that my daughter did not always like being buckled in, but we did it because we knew what the alternative could be.
Since you are willing to search the internet, go to your states web site and see if they have something on their web site that tells what the specific law is in your state for child safety seats, and seat belt usage. Most states disseminate that information for travellers to their state.
2007-03-19 11:19:12 · answer #1 · answered by ? 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well, you did not say what STATE you are in.
These laws are State generated and so will vary.
Some states will allow you to place them in the front under certain circumstances.
Some cars also have disable switches for the passenger airbags just for that reason.
Some states require rear facing seats if you have a child in a car seat in the front (not all that great).
But .. with a little work you can BOTH be right (find out how to disable the airbag) - usually a simple process of disconnecting the sensor.
.
2007-03-19 18:06:36 · answer #2 · answered by ca_surveyor 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well, the laws are all different depending on the state that you live in. However, I can tell you that for New Jersey, all children up to the age of 8 or 80 pounds must ride in a safety or booster seat in the BACKSEAT of the car.
Between the ages of 8 to 18, they must wear a seat belt but may sit in the front or back seat.
They also say that it has to fasten correctly - which means one person per seatbelt. The two younger kids in NJ would have to wear booster seats. The oldest one may sit in the front if she is 80lbs or more.
But as I said, you should check the division of highway traffic safety for your state to verify.
2007-03-19 18:11:40 · answer #3 · answered by TMemories 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It would depend on the state that you live in,....I am in California,.. there are laws that require children of certain age & weight to be in car seats, or boosters,... up to 60 lb's i believe,. & very much small children shouldnt ride in the front seat with airbags as if deployed they come with such force that the airbag can do as much damage to a small child as the actual accident,..... do a search for the motor vehicle laws for your state,... i included a link which has links for all the car seat laws for the united states, & it clearly states in its page :: The safest place for a child under 12, often required by law, is in the back seat, hope this helps you out
2007-03-19 18:13:31 · answer #4 · answered by Danford H 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, there is a law that restricts any child under the age of 12 from sitting in the front, even if they have a seat belt on. If your husband gets into an accident with one of your children in the front, the air bag can kill your child.It's best you let them sit in the back to be safe. As for me, I've complained about being able to sit in the front, but I'm 13 now.
2007-03-19 18:12:57 · answer #5 · answered by Hippies hop to hippie music =D 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It would help to know the State that you are talking about, cause all states are different about the laws. So with that said, the best way to find out about the laws in YOUR state is to take a visit to a law library in your state.
I know for the State of Washington, Utah, and Colorado there is laws about it, but it goes on the size of the child, IE height and weight as long as the child is over the age of 5.
2007-03-19 18:12:45 · answer #6 · answered by lorencehill 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
yes they are laws they got to be in the back untill there about 12 years old cause they are to small for the dashboard will be right at face level and airbags can break there necks and they got to be in a booster seat if they ant at least 4"9
2007-03-19 18:08:47 · answer #7 · answered by ROBERT C 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋