How old must a child be to sit in the front seat? Georgia law is very specific
Georgia passed laws concerning child car safety over a decade ago requiring children under 8 years old to sit in the back, under Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 208. The law also highly recommends but does not mandate that children 12 and under should sit in the back seat, but parents still have questions.
It is not as straightforward as it seems and some nuances bear examining as more and more children will be in cars in the coming months. The auto-focused law firm Georgia Auto Law sheds some light on the matter.
Age is not the only factor
In addition to age, there are also some height and weight restrictions parents must understand. All children weighing less than 40 pounds and shorter than 57 inches must be restrained in a car seat or booster in the back seat.
Children 40 pounds and over:
Can sit in the front seat if there is no back seat available.
They are still required to be in a car seat or booster seat appropriate for their age and height.
If the vehicle does not have a back seat or if all back seats are occupied by other children, the child may sit in the front seat.
All children under the age of 8 and shorter than 57 inches must be secured in a car seat or booster appropriate for their age.
Children over 57 inches:
If the child is under 40 pounds they still need to sit in the back seat in a proper seat or booster.
Regardless of height or weight, children under 8 years of age must sit in the back.
The rules are slightly different for vehicles other than cars.
Motorcycles:
Georgia laws require all motorcycle passengers, including children, to wear a helmet.
There is no specific minimum age for children on motorcycles however, the child must be able to sit securely. This is often interpreted to mean the child should be large enough to touch the footrests and hold on to the driver.
Pickup trucks:
If there is no backseat or the seats are occupied by other children, children under 8 can sit in the front, as long as they weigh at least 40 pounds.
Children are strictly forbidden to ride in the bed of a truck.
If you have any further questions about car safety for children, you can contact Safe Kids Georgia or the Georgia Department of Public Health.
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