children in cars

[Haybridge]

can a child under 12 sit in the front seat

[katangel26]

Yes, as long as theres not an air bag in front. I went on holiday last year and needed to put my 2 year old daughter in the front seat (due to all the luggage), so phoned up my local station to ask. It's perfectly legal providing there is not air bag in front of them.

[Buenchico]

The law doesn't specifically refer to air bags except that it's illegal to carry a child in a rear-facing baby seat with an active air bag. While, in most situations, a child should not sit in a seat protected by an air bag, it's possible that it might be acceptable (or even advisable) for some older children, using a booster cushion, to occupy a seat with an air bag in front of it in certain makes of car. The only rule is 'always read the car handbook' (or, of course, consult the manufacturer).

The law is solely concerned with 'appropriate restraints'. For children over 12 years of age, an adult seat belt is an 'appropriate restraint'. An adult seat belt also provides an 'appropriate restraint' for a child, under 12 years old, who is at least 135cm tall. In practice, this means that many 9-year-olds and most 10-year-olds can just use an adult seat belt.

When a child is under 12 years old and also under 135cm tall, the definition of an 'appropriate restraint' depends upon the child's weight. These are defined here:
http://www.childcarseats.org.uk/types/index.ht m

Chris

[almcd007]

It also depends on whether it's a two seater or whether a car restraint would fit in the rear (those cars with tiny rear seats)

I have to turn my airbag off, put the front seat all the way back as my rear seats do not allow the car seat to sit properly on the seat.

[winny]

A child who needs to use a booster seat should not be in the front with an air bag. Legal or not it is not safe as the airbag can cause damage. I cant find the link to ROSPA now but a while ago when new law came in I found a whole section on seat safety. The age does not always matter it is the height.

[winny]

I found it
http://www.childcarseats.org.uk/carrying_safel y/index.htm