Most children are eager to ride in the front seat of the car. However, doing so too early can put them at a greater risk of harm. While Florida law may permit children to ride in the front seat at any time, safety experts recommend waiting until a child is at least 13 years old and 4 feet, nine inches tall.
Florida’s Child Seat Safety Laws
Florida Statute §316.613 establishes child restraint requirements but does not prohibit children from sitting in the front seat of a car at any age. Children must be secured in a federally approved child safety seat through the age of five. Children under 4 years old need car seats appropriate for their size, and those ages 4 and 5 may use car seats or boosters. Once a child turns six years old, Florida law no longer requires a car seat or booster. Of course, they must still wear seatbelts.
Why a Child’s Age and Size Matter
The American Academy of Pediatrics and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recommend that children be at least 13 years old and 4 feet, nine inches tall before sitting in the front seat. They should be able to sit correctly in the seat with the lap belt across their upper thighs and the shoulder belt flat across their chest. These recommendations are based on decades of crash data.
Airbags in the front seat of vehicles can deploy at speeds up to 200 miles per hour and are designed for adult-sized passengers, not children. If a child is not adequately restrained or is sitting too close to the airbag when it is deployed, they can suffer catastrophic injuries.
Research has shown that children in the back seat are 35 to 70 percent less likely to suffer serious injuries than those sitting in the front seat.
Common Child Car Safety Mistakes
Even the most careful parents can make child car safety mistakes. One common mistake is moving your child to the front seat too early because they have outgrown their booster seat or reached the age of six. Just because Florida law no longer requires them to use a booster seat does not mean they are safe in the front seat.
Another common mistake is failing to check the seat belt fit. If the lap belt rides up on the stomach or the shoulder belt crosses the neck, a child can be at much higher risk for severe injuries during a crash.
Parents should also never allow their child to slouch, lean against the door, or tuck the shoulder belt behind their back. Although many children use these tactics to be more comfortable, they place their children at extreme risk of harm in an accident.
Parents should be consistent in enforcing seat belt rules. Not only must children properly use seat belts on long trips, but parents must also insist that seat belts be used during short neighborhood drives.
Contact Rosen Injury Law
Our Fort Lauderdale automobile accident lawyers have decades of combined experience and have recovered over $125 million for our clients. If you or your child has been injured in a car accident caused by another party’s negligence, we want to help you.
Call (954) 787-1500 or complete the short form on our contact page and schedule a free consultation to discuss your claim. We will listen to you, answer your questions, and explain your options. If we represent you, we will work diligently to secure maximum compensation for your damages.