Question *Florida law for an 8 year old in a 2 seater pickup

[alk545]

I am looking for an answer to the above topic. Is an 8 year old weighing 55 pounds allowed to sit in the front seat of a 2 seat pickup. Thanks, alk545

 

[ketchupqueen]

Florida has very lax child passenger safety laws. All kinds of things are legal but not safe there. I think what you really want to ask is, "Is it safe for an 8 year old to sit in the front seat of a 2 seater pickup?" The answer is, "While everyone is safer in the rear seat of a vehicle, especially children under the age of 14, there are vehicles in which this is not possible. The 8 year old should be seated in a properly fitted booster (or harnessed seat if that is what s/he usually uses, but it's not necessary for a neurotypical child of this age and weight) and properly using it."

 

[danivdp]

Yes. The only law here in FL is that your child has to be in a "proper restraint" until age 5yo, and kids under 16yo have to wear a seatbelt.

(At least last time I checked )

 

[Maedze]

Florida has very lax child passenger safety laws. All kinds of things are legal but not safe there. I think what you really want to ask is, "Is it safe for an 8 year old to sit in the front seat of a 2 seater pickup?" The answer is, "While everyone is safer in the rear seat of a vehicle, especially children under the age of 14, there are vehicles in which this is not possible. The 8 year old should be seated in a properly fitted booster (or harnessed seat if that is what s/he usually uses, but it's not necessary for a neurotypical child of this age and weight) and properly using it."

:yeahthat:


The laws are pretty irrelevant, because if you do the right thing you will always be three steps ahead of the law.

There is no back seat in a 2 seater pickup, so there is no other place for the child to sit.

The child probably does not pass the five-step test to sit safely in a seatbelt (most 8 year olds don't) so make sure the child has his booster.

 

[hesgimenez]

Yes. The only law here in FL is that your child has to be in a "proper restraint" until age 5yo, and kids under 16yo have to wear a seatbelt.

(At least last time I checked )

Everyone in Florida has to wear a seatbelt. Didn't they just change the law that they can pull you over just because of non-seatbelt use? Sorry, slightly off topic.

 

[Evolily]

The child needs to at least be in a booster- you can pick up a backless turbo booster for $20 if money is a concern (as long as you have headrests- if there are no headrests/tall seat back you will need a high back booster). The turbo booster, properly used, positions the belt very well.

A child in a seatbelt only is at very high risk of seat belt syndrome (warning- graphic photos http://www.freewebs.com/sacredjourneys/apps/photos/photo?photoid=16778480 ). Basically a child submarines underneath the lap belt, or the lap belt is positioned too high (lap belts should fit low over the hips). I have heard of at least one report of a child becoming quadraplegic (paralyzed from the neck down) due to a shoulder belt positioned too high.

Most seat belts are designed to fit adults, not children. Boosters help position the seat belt properly, allowing children to receive the same protection adults enjoy. He or she will need to be in a booster at least until she passes the 5 step test http://www.car-seat.org/showthread.php?t=9009 .

 

[danivdp]

Everyone in Florida has to wear a seatbelt. Didn't they just change the law that they can pull you over just because of non-seatbelt use? Sorry, slightly off topic.

Yep, you are right.....and kids have it even WORSE than I thought. It is LEGAL for a 4yo to use a regular seatbelt :thumbsdown:

http://www.dmvflorida.org/seat-belt-laws.shtml