Front vs. back seat?

[kristiemlove]

Oops, accidentally posted in "Car seats" so here is a re-post.

MY daughter just turned 7 and is 52" tall. I insist that she rides in the back seat in a booster for a few more years. I have just learned her dad now lets her ride in the front seat of his truck (airbags off) because he is afraid she will hit her head on the glass in back and that would be more dangerous. I showed him how to adjust the headrest so her head is protected but we still got into a little debate. I don't see any laws about the kids not being able to ride in the front seat, but, regardless, I prefer to err on the side of caution and just keep her in back. Does anybody have any hard stats that I could show him that may sway his decision?

[beeman]

My truck is just a standard cab 1/2 ton, and I don't have a problem having children sit in the front seat. I don't have passenger side air bags, so that is not a problem. I think the airbags are the biggest issue with this. A lot of older trucks don't have any head support in the back seat, so the window acts as this. Theres a thread about this from a couple months ago where I asked about kids riding in the front seat. You should check it out. Sats show that the back, center seat is the safest, because most crashes are from the front, and that seating position has an open barrier from all sides. But, personally, I wouldn't worry about her being unsafe in the front seat.

[Patriot201]

I don't have any hard stats, but you are absolutely right that she should be in the backseat, in a booster, with the headrest appropriately positioned.

Even if it is not against the law (in which state do you live?), it is not safe to have her ride in the front seat if there is an acceptable seating location in the backseat.

[skaterbabscpst]

My truck is just a standard cab 1/2 ton, and I don't have a problem having children sit in the front seat. I don't have passenger side air bags, so that is not a problem. I think the airbags are the biggest issue with this. A lot of older trucks don't have any head support in the back seat, so the window acts as this. Theres a thread about this from a couple months ago where I asked about kids riding in the front seat. You should check it out. Sats show that the back, center seat is the safest, because most crashes are from the front, and that seating position has an open barrier from all sides. But, personally, I wouldn't worry about her being unsafe in the front seat.

Actually, all passengers are safer in the back seat, with ot with out an airbag.

[papooses]

Until recently I've always been taught that the front seat = about 40% higher risk of serious/fatal injury for all occupants -- especially any child under 13 years of age -- apparently, a new study says the back seat is about 70% safer....

When I'm not the driver, I always sit in the back: this is "easier" (socially-speaking) when I have the excuse of entertaining a child or when there's more than 2 of us in the vehicle since other adults generally prefer the front.

[kpeople]

I think you're right for staying cautious, back seat is always the safest place for children under the age of 12, but being realistically, some people only have a front seat when it comes to trucks and I would recommend letting the seat all the way back with the air bag off of course and make sure the seatbelt fits her snug. You can go the NHTSA website to see if there are any stats. There are alot of truck campaigns explaining how trucks roll easily or visit with your local DPS, Transportation office or law enforcement offices and maybe they can explain it to him according to what they have seen first hand.

Hope this helps!