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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to let my child ride in the front seat?

31 replies

pjmama · 12/06/2011 11:16

A couple of times recenly I have let DC age 4.9 ride in the front seat of the car, strapped into their usual booster seat with the air bag turned off. They were very excited at the novelty of being allowed to sit in the front.

DH however had a go at me about it, saying they were far safer in the back and that I was taking unnecessary risks with their safety and that he doesn't want me to do it again.

I'll respect his opinion of course, but I just wondered if I WAS actually doing something irresponsible, as I assumed it was safe providing a proper car seat is used and the air bag is off? Does anyone else let their DCs ride in the front sometimes?

OP posts:
GreenTeapot · 12/06/2011 11:20

Nope, no way. I'd probably say until age 10 or 12 they need to be in the back, it is far safer in there in a collision.

IIRC the front passenger seat is the least safe place to sit in any car.

GreenTeapot · 12/06/2011 11:20

To clarify, yes YABU, no I wouldn't do it.

valiumredhead · 12/06/2011 11:23

Not at that age I wouldn't. I have just started letting ds 10 ride to tescos with me in the front seat and speed limit is 30 but in reality people don't get over 20 on such a short journey.

All other journeys he's in the back!

Bunbaker · 12/06/2011 11:23

Unfortunately your DH is right. Statistically your child is far safer in the back seat. In many countries it is actually illegal to have a child under the age of 12 in the front seat.

TidyDancer · 12/06/2011 11:24

YABU. I can't believe anyone with a driving license would be unaware of the fact that it is irresponsible to drive the way you have been. It is much safer for a child to be in the back of the car. DH is absolutely right. And no, I do not and would not allow my DC to sit in the front of the car when it is moving. They are both in seats in the back.

begonyabampot · 12/06/2011 11:26

I wouldn't as it is advised that generally the rear seats are safer in a crash. Seems to be lots of ideas abut this though. Recent thread brought up children in front seat with airbags. I was under the impression that is was really unsafe and children have been killed by the airbag in simple low speed collisions. Others saw no problem with it.

Original poster
pjmama · 12/06/2011 11:28

Oh bugger, I hate it when he's right! Grin

Thanks everyone, I won't be doing it again then 'til they're older.

OP posts:
Ripeberry · 12/06/2011 11:28

Not everyone has enough room in their cars and one child (oldest, tallest) has to travel in the front. I have a Zafira and would rather my child travel in the front than one of the little 'flip up' seats at the back.

notsogoldenoldie · 12/06/2011 11:29

Up to you. Not sure on this one - I'm sure it's right that the back is safer, but I'd be interested to know how much MORE risk is added to an already risky activity.

Think 4 is a bit young, though.

clemetteattlee · 12/06/2011 11:30

Both my mine sit in the front when it is just them. They are 3 and 6.

begonyabampot · 12/06/2011 11:32

just read up on the airbag thing. One site says that some children have been killed in the front seat when the airbag went off but that they hadn't necessarily been secured properly (seat belt might have been looser than supposed to be so didn't tighten and pull them in to the seat on collision. Will try and find some government safety advice info.

K999 · 12/06/2011 11:33

As far as I'm aware it's not unlawful what you're doing.

IDontThinkSoDoYOU · 12/06/2011 11:33

No car manufacturer will guarantee their air bags won't go off in a collision even if they are switched off.

The safest place for children is the back seats (if you have them!) in appropriate restraints.

clemetteattlee · 12/06/2011 11:33

But you must have the airbags on. The airbags off thing is only for rear facing carseats. If your child is properly secured in the front the benefits of an airbag outweigh the risks.

begonyabampot · 12/06/2011 11:34

I would never carry young children in the front if there is room in the back.

FabbyChic · 12/06/2011 11:35

For some reason I always thought it was illegal to have an under 14 in the front seat, so never allowed my children in the front till they were over 14. Not sure where I got it from but do find it ridiculous that an under 14 can travel in the front seat.

superjobeespecs · 12/06/2011 11:39

my DDs 6 and has never ridden upfront her booster is in the back seat always has been i think she's just too young to ride upfront IMHO

BluddyMoFo · 12/06/2011 11:42

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

portaloo · 12/06/2011 11:42

Isn't it the middle seat in the back that is statistically the safest seat?

BluddyMoFo · 12/06/2011 11:47

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

begonyabampot · 12/06/2011 11:54

well I've found this thread quite educational and it made me go and look up some car safety info to hopefully get firmer advice and info rather then what i thought or hearsay.

scuzy · 12/06/2011 12:14

it is illegal in southern ireland to have a child under 11 travel in front passenger seat. what is the law in england?

GooGooGadget · 12/06/2011 12:20

my sister lets her 2 yr old in the front as a matter of course. I'm very Hmm.

Neither of mine go in the front. I hadn't even really thought about the 'crash factor' but I just think that children belong in the back where they can't put me off my driving so much!

RockStockAndTwoOpenBottles · 12/06/2011 12:26

It is illegal here in Spain for a child under the age of 12 to travel in the front seat, correct restraints or not.

A friend's child was filled by an airbag at the age of 4 in a bump in London doing around 20mph. That alone is enough for me never to let DD3 in the front until she's older and bigger (she's 2). The other DC however, fight to sit in the front, but they're all bigger than me now Grin

vmcd28 · 12/06/2011 12:30

The law - kids can travel in the front as long as they have an appropriate child seat/restraint.

Airbags should ONLY be switched off if it's an infant rear-facing seat.

Safety - rear seats are safer, as there are more front collisions. The middle seat in the back is considered the safest, if it is a 3point regular seatbelt.

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