PA Law for Age of Front Seat Auto Passengers (Penn: fit in, transporting)

[blazerj]

I wanted to know what the law says for the minimum age for kids to sit in the front seat of a car.

The recommendation from multiple agencies is 12, but what is the law?

From PennDOT

Pennsylvania's Seat Belt Law
Under Pennsylvania's primary child passenger safety law, children under the age of 4 must be properly restrained in an approved child safety seat anywhere in the vehicle.

Children under 2 must be secured in a rear-facing car seat until the child outgrows the maximum weight and height limits designated by the car seat manufacturer.

Children from age 4 up to age 8 must be restrained in an appropriate booster seat.

Children from age 8 up to age 18 must be in a seat belt.

They go on to say they recommend that kids under 12 sit in the back, but what's the law?

[jtab4994]

From the PA Driver's Manual, Chapter 5, Page 2:
"Children ages eight (8) and older, but under age 18 must be buckled in a seat belt, no matter where they ride in the vehicle (front or back seat). [emphasis added]


The part about it being "recommended" for children under 12 to ride in the back falls under the Air Bag Safety section on the same page.


PennDOT - Chapter 5

[blazerj]

Originally Posted by jtab4994

From the PA Driver's Manual, Chapter 5, Page 2:
"Children ages eight (8) and older, but under age 18 must be buckled in a seat belt, no matter where they ride in the vehicle (front or back seat). [emphasis added]


The part about it being "recommended" for children under 12 to ride in the back falls under the Air Bag Safety section on the same page.


PennDOT - Chapter 5

Thanks, so the law is 8 years and older are legally allowed in the front seat.

[jtab4994]

Originally Posted by blazerj

Thanks, so the law is 8 years and older are legally allowed in the front seat.

Please click on the link and read it yourself. Remember the children in your car are your responsibility and you would be the one explaining to their parents and/or paying the ticket.

[blazerj]

Originally Posted by jtab4994

Please click on the link and read it yourself. Remember the children in your car are your responsibility and you would be the one explaining to their parents and/or paying the ticket.

Understand, I just want a clear answer and the law is worded poorly. From your link:

If you are transporting passengers age eight (8) or older but less than age 18, they must wear seat belts, no matter where they are riding in the vehicle.

The "no matter where they are riding mean they can sit anywhere in the car, including the front seat. Therefore, there would be no ticket.

[thecoalman]

Originally Posted by blazerj

Understand, I just want a clear answer and the law is worded poorly. From your link:

I'd agree it's worded as well as it could, it appears it's recommendation for those between 8 and 12 to sit in the back. That really should be based on height/weight.

The "no matter where they are riding mean they can sit anywhere in the car, including the front seat. Therefore, there would be no ticket.

That is there because an adult passenger does not need to wear a seat belt if they are sitting in the back.

[charmed hour]

https://www.penndot.gov/TravelInPA/S...er-Safety.aspx

8-12 Years

Keep your child in a booster seat until he or she is big enough to fit in a seat belt properly. For a seat belt to fit properly the lap belt must lie snugly across the upper thighs, not the stomach. The shoulder belt should lie snug across the shoulder and chest and not cross the neck or face. Remember: Your child should still ride in the back seat because it's safer there.

Personally, all kids belong in the backseat to me until they're big teens.

[Gerania]

My son was a short, skinny kid, so he was in a booster seat for an embarrassing long time. He also sat in the back for much longer than he liked.

[blazerj]

Originally Posted by charmed hour

https://www.penndot.gov/TravelInPA/S...er-Safety.aspx





Personally, all kids belong in the backseat to me until they're big teens.

I don't disagree, but just want to know what PA Law says. It's been very difficult to find, so I'm asking here.