At What Age Can Children Sit in the Front Seat of a Car in Florida?

According to the NHTSA, an estimated 162,298 children aged 14 and below were injured in traffic collisions in 2021, and 863 were killed in traffic crashes. With these numbers in mind, keeping children safe while they ride in a car should always be a top priority. A significant part of ensuring the safety of children is understanding the laws regarding car seats. Understanding the law and knowing where your child should sit can help protect children in the event of an accident.

At What Age Can a Child Sit in the Front Seat of a Car in Florida?

A common question Florida residents ask is, “At what age can a child sit in the front seat of a car in Florida?” So, what does Florida law say about this? In Florida, there is no law that specially mandates a certain age at which children can sit in the front seat of a car. However, safety experts and even car manufacturers recommend not allowing children under the age of 13 to sit in the front seat. It is recommended that children aged 12 and under remain in the backseat. Statistically, the back seat is safer and provides better protection from head-on collisions and airbags. Front airbags are designed for adults and can cause severe injuries or even death to young children. Once children reach the age of 13, they can typically sit in the front seat of a car comfortably and safely.

Additionally, if a child reaches the appropriate age and starts sitting in the front seat of a vehicle, they must wear a seat belt. Under Florida law, children under the age of 18, front-seat passengers, and drivers are required to wear seat belts. And a seat belt should be worn properly. For a seat belt to be worn correctly, the lap belt should not lie across the stomach. Instead, it should sit securely across the thighs. The shoulder belt should not cross the neck or face but should instead be positioned comfortably across the chest and shoulder.

Car Seat Laws in Florida

While no law specifies at what age children should begin sitting in the front seat of a car in Florida, there are strict car seat laws that must be adhered to. The following are some of these laws;

• Children should remain in booster seats until they can properly fit in a seat belt. What it means for a seat belt to fit properly is described in the previous section.
• Children aged 4 and 5 should be in a booster seat, integrated child seat, or separate carrier.
• Children should remain in rear-facing car seats until they reach the top height or weight allowed by the car seat’s manufacturer. This is usually until a child turns 2 or 3.
• Children up to 3 years must always be in child restraint devices of a separate carrier or a manufacturer’s integrated child seat while in a vehicle.

Legal Help Is Available

If, despite your efforts to keep your child safe, they suffer injuries in a collision due to the negligence of another driver, our Jacksonville personal injury attorneys at The Pendas Law Firm can help you seek the justice and compensation you deserve.

The Pendas Law Firm also represents clients in the Tampa, Fort Myers, Ocala, Orlando, Bradenton, Daytona Beach, West Palm Beach, Miami, Naples, Melbourne, and Fort Lauderdale areas.

Source:

crashstats.nhtsa.dot.gov/Api/Public/ViewPublication/813456#:~:text=An%20estimated%20162%2C298%20children%20were,increase%20from%20139%2C058%20in%202020.&text=An%20average%20of%203%20children,in%20traffic%20crashes%20in%202021.