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Proper child passenger restraint
system installation can be checked
by contacting local law enforcement
agencies or fire departments
that may provide this service or refer
you to a Child Passenger Safety
(CPS) technician in your area. As
your child grows, check with these
agencies to confirm that the car seat
is the correct size for your child.
A child who is under the age of
eight years and who is less than 4
feet 9 inches tall, may ride in the
front seat of a vehicle only in the
following instances:
• There is no rear seat or the rear
seats are either side-facing jump
seats or rear-facing seats.
• The child passenger restraint
system cannot be properly
installed in the rear seat.
• All rear seats are already occupied
by children under the age of 12
years.
• A medical reason requires the
child to ride in the front seat.
A child may not ride in the front
seat of an airbag-equipped vehicle
if the child:
• Is less than one year of age.
• Weighs less than 20 lbs.
• Is riding in a rear-facing child
passenger restraint system.
Children eight years of age and
older, but under 16 years must be
properly secured with an appropriate
safety belt.
Children under eight years of age,
who are less than 4 feet 9 inches
tall must be properly secured in
an appropriate child passenger
restraint system that meets federal
safety standards. However, children
under eight years of age, who are 4
feet 9 inches tall or taller may be
secured with an appropriate safety
belt instead of a child passenger
restraint system.
Riding Safely with Air Bags
Most people can take steps to eliminate
or reduce air bag risk without
turning off air bags. The biggest
risk is being too close to the air bag.
An air bag needs about 10 inches
of space to inflate. Ride at least 10
inches (measured from the center of
the steering wheel to your breastbone)
from the air bag cover, if you
can do this while maintaining full
control of the vehicle. If you cannot
safely sit 10 inches away from the air
bag, contact your vehicle dealer or
manufacturer for advice about additional
ways of moving back from
your air bag.
Passengers should also sit at least
10 inches away from the passengerside
air bag.
Side-Impact Air Bags
Side-impact air bags can provide
extra safety benefits to adults in
side-impact crashes. However, children
who are seated next to a side
air bag may be at risk of serious
or fatal injury. Since side air bags
are different in design and performance,
you should consider the benefits
and risks associated with the
use of side air bags if you transport
children. Studies have shown that
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