At What Age Can Kids Sit in the Front Seat of a Car in Georgia?
Ensuring child passenger safety is crucial, as car accidents are a leading cause of injury for children. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in 2020, over 63,000 children aged 12 and younger were injured in car crashes.
Proper use of child restraint systems reduces the risk of fatal injury by up to 71% in infants and toddlers. These restraint systems reduce the risk of fatal injury by 45% for children ages five and older.
Yet, the age at which children can safely sit in the front seat is a common concern for many parents. In Georgia, specific laws and guidelines exist to protect young passengers. Understanding these laws can help keep your child safe.
When Can Kids Sit In The Front Seat In Georgia?
Georgia law allows children aged eight and older to sit in the front seat of a car. However, safety experts strongly recommend that children under the age of 13 ride in the back seat whenever possible. The back seat is generally the safest place for children, as it provides better protection from the impact of airbags and collisions.
Under Georgia law, children under eight must use an appropriate child passenger restraint system. Georgia car seat law specifies the correct restraint system based on the child’s age, height, and weight.
Older children who meet the requirements to sit in the front seat should still use a booster seat and a properly fitted seat belt. Remember, a rear-facing car seat should never be placed in the front seat in front of an active airbag!
Why The Front Seat Is Dangerous For Children Under 13
The front seat can be particularly hazardous for children under 13 due to their smaller size and the risk posed by airbags. Front airbags are designed to protect adults during a crash, deploying with significant force that can cause serious injury or death to young children.
A child’s body is still developing, making them more susceptible to severe airbag injuries. The child’s position also means the airbag will likely deploy in their face instead of their chest.
Children who haven’t reached the minimum height (4’9”) and weight (typically around 80 pounds) may not fit properly in an adult seatbelt. When a seatbelt doesn’t fit correctly, it can cause abdominal or neck injuries in the event of a crash.
Proper use of car seats and booster seats in the back seat helps position the seatbelt safely across the child’s shoulder and hips. This reduces the risk of injury by spreading the force of the crash across the strongest areas of the body. A rear-facing seat spreads force across the infant’s back to reduce brain injuries. Forward-facing and booster seats safely spread force across the child’s hips and shoulders.
Penalties For Violating Child Passenger Safety Laws In Georgia
Violating Georgia’s child passenger safety laws can result in penalties. Georgia Code § 40-8-76.1 allows a fine of up to $50 for the first offense and up to $100 for subsequent offenses. Points may also be added to the driver’s record, which can affect insurance rates. Too many points can lead to license suspension.
Resources For Georgia Parents And Caregivers
Here are resources to help you ensure your child’s restraint system is installed and used correctly.
- Find child safety seat fitting locations in Georgia with free car seat inspections by certified technicians.
- Find a Certified Child Passenger Safety Technician (CPST) in Georgia to verify that your car seat is installed properly and get guidance on safe use.
- NHTSA’s Car Seat Finder makes it easy to choose the right car seat with ease-of-use ratings.
In 2020, about half of car seats were not installed or used correctly. Improper use of a car seat can increase your child’s risk of serious injury in a crash.
Child passenger safety laws are in place to protect young passengers from serious injuries in the event of a car accident. While Georgia law allows children aged eight and older to sit in the front seat, the safest option is for children under 13 to remain in the back seat.
Even with the best safety practices, accidents can still happen, and children can suffer injuries. If your child has been injured in a car accident, contact a Lawrenceville car accident lawyer.
Contact the Personal Injury Law Firm of Lawson Personal Injury Attorneys in Lawrenceville for Help Today
For more information, please contact our experienced personal injury lawyer at Lawson Personal Injury Attorneys to schedule a free initial consultation today. We have a convenient location in Lawrenceville, GA.
Lawson Personal Injury Attorneys
320 S Perry St, Lawrenceville, GA 30046
(678) 446-3655