Why is it best to have passengers under 13 years old in back seat?

Why is it best to have passengers under 13 years old in back seat?

The back seat position provides additional protection because it is furthest away from three things responsible for most injuries: the windshield, the dashboard, and the airbag. The data clearly shows this is a safer way to travel: Buckling up in the back seat decreases the risk of death by one-third.

Can a 12 year old sit in the passenger seat?

While airbags are meant to protect adults from harm in a car crash, they can’t protect children sitting in the front seat. As a result, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that all children ages 13 and under buckle up in the back seat for safety.

How long should children sit in the backseat?

13 years old
The detailed document says, in short, that all children should sit in the back seat until they’re 13 years old. Babies and toddlers should remain in rear-facing car seats until they’re two years old (or until they’ve outgrown the height and weight specified by the manufacturer of their particular rear-facing seat).

Do children sit in back seat?

Current California Law: ​Children under the age of 8 must be secured in a car seat or booster seat in the back seat. Children who are 8 years of age OR have reached 4’9” in height may be secured by a booster seat, but at a minimum must be secured by a safety belt.

How much does a child have to weigh to sit in the front seat?

Children under 1 year old or weighing less than 20 lb must use a rear-facing child safety seat in the back seat. Children 1–5 years old and weighing at least 20 lb and less than 40 lb must use a forward-facing child safety seat in the back seat.

Why should children sit in the back of the car?

Safety experts almost universally agree that the back seat is the safest place for children to travel. If placing a rear-facing 5-point harness seat in the front passenger seat of the car, you MUST deactivate the dashboard airbag as this could cause serious injury to the child in the event of a crash.

Why should kids sit in backseat?

Two important reasons to keep kids in the back seat: keeps the child further away from the most common type of impact, and. keeps them away from the frontal airbag and the potential of being inside the airbag deployment zone.

Why is rear-facing safer?

That’s because a rear-facing seat spreads the crash force more evenly across the back of the car seat and the child’s body. It also limits the motion of the head, reducing the potential for neck injury, and keeps the child more contained within the shell of the child restraint.

Which is the safest seat to sit in a car?

And of course, the safest will be the back seat since it is further away from the impact point and will receive less damage.

Can reaching while seating in the car hurt your back?

Reaching or overextending while seated in a car can hurt your back. If possible, pull over when you need to find some paperwork or grab something for your little one in the back seat.

Can You Fit 3 people in a car with a backseat?

You can squeeze three passengers into most big backseats, but because many sedans feature molded configurations with fold-down middle armrests or consoles, you won’t find a lot of volunteers to sit in the middle. So, let’s take it from the top, and look at sedans that offer the most backseat room.

How do you know if your car seat is too close?

If your arms are fully extended and locked, you are sitting too far from the steering wheel. Adjust the driver’s seat forward. If your elbows create less than a 60 degree angle, you are sitting too close. Adjust your seat further back. Your arms should not be locked but be slightly bent.