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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to be worrying about DC (6) in the front seat of a car on motorway?

80 replies

CanOpenWormsEverywhere · 16/10/2018 15:55

I'm really not sure if i'm being over cautious as I am rather passionate about car safety and may be worrying for no reason. My DC never travel in the front in my car, i only allow DC1 to travel in the front between school and home when the car has extra for friends home and he is 9.

My DF has a free return ticket to an attraction. the ticket is restricted to his car only as that was the car he took when he originally went to the attraction. He wants to take my younger 3 DC with him. The problem is that we can't fit all 3 DC car seats across the back of his car.

So DC2 who is 6 will need to travel in the front seat, its about an hour up the motorway. The car in question is a large 4x4 and DC2 will be in a HBB. If relevant DC is a small 6 (wears age 5 clothes).

Would you be happy to allow your DC to travel in the front in this situation?

OP posts:
Hidillyho · 16/10/2018 17:25

I think that middle seats are supposed to be safer due to collisions usually happening to a one of the sides or front/back which would take the initial impact where as the middle seat isn’t near an impact point. I could be wrong though

Montsti · 16/10/2018 17:29

Personally I would put the child in the rear middle seat without a car seat...I would never put a child under the recommended height and weight in the front seat...loads of people I know do but I’ve seen the injuries an airbag has done to a good friend of mine (small but 5ft4)....horrific! Obviously without it it could’ve been much worse but if there’s an option to sit in the back then please do!

Original poster
CanOpenWormsEverywhere · 16/10/2018 17:32

no i wouldnt disable the air bag for forward facing, I got myself confused earlier on about which seat i was trying to put where! disabling is for rear facers, i know that.

official recommedation is that they are better in the front with a HBB than in the back without a seat at all.

Have been passed through to another manager trying to see if we can take a different car....on hold again....

OP posts:
hibbledibble · 16/10/2018 17:32

Airbags generally only need disabling for a rear facing car seat. If in doubt then check the user manual for your car seat.

Op yabu. An hour drive in a hbb is a minimal risk. Alternatively you could get a small booster eg a bubblebum to fit at the back, but this is less safe than a hbb at the front.

Thenewdoctor · 16/10/2018 17:35

Push the seat back all the way if you’re putting the car seat in the front was the recommendation when I had mine in seats. Has that changed? The airbag off was only for rear facing.

I wouldn’t have a problem with it personally.

Frustratedfrenchie · 16/10/2018 17:38

In France they have to be aged 10 to sit in the front.

happyrayoflight · 16/10/2018 17:38

I'm really surprised that if there is iso fix in the back that it isn't in the front passenger seat. Do you also need a rear fix over the seat is that the issue ?

My 2007 car has it in the front. However it is hard to see your mirrors with a rear facing seat in the front passengers side. So not possible to drive on motorway.

user1471505356 · 16/10/2018 17:46

A child needs to be aged 12years or 135 cm to travel in the front seat.

Thenewdoctor · 16/10/2018 17:47

Only if they have a back seat to go in?

TwllBach · 16/10/2018 17:48

my DP drives a van so DS has always had to go in the front seat because there’s no back seat. We disabled the air bag when he was rear facing, but I never questioned it. I wouldn’t ever have him in the front seat of my car though...

Sorry op that’s no help at all, I just read the thread and thought how strange it was!!

Original poster
CanOpenWormsEverywhere · 16/10/2018 17:51

panic over.

manager has said that if DF brings paperwork to prove he is the owner of the original registered car and proof he is allowed to drive the alternative car they will let him use the ticket.

so i can relax and stop panicking as they will now all fit in the back of the other car!!

OP posts:
Purpleartichoke · 16/10/2018 17:52

Minimum of 13 to ride in the front. I would take a second car and then just move to the registered car right before the gate.

treaclesoda · 16/10/2018 17:52

A child needs to be aged 12years or 135 cm to travel in the front seat.

Not according to the gov.uk website or the ROSPA website.

Purpleartichoke · 16/10/2018 17:52

Oops

Original poster
CanOpenWormsEverywhere · 16/10/2018 17:52

happyray neither mine or DH's car have isofix in the front and mine is only 3 years old!

OP posts:
FinallyATea · 16/10/2018 17:52

My DS(6) has been ravelling in a booster seat in the front for a couple of years!

FinallyATea · 16/10/2018 17:54

travelling not ravelling!!!

HowCanThisBeRight · 16/10/2018 17:55

My dsd childminder has always had to put one child in the front due to space etc. Providing in correctly fitted seat why not?

HowCanThisBeRight · 16/10/2018 17:56

Never seen an age restriction for front seats?

Thenewdoctor · 16/10/2018 17:56

I missed a not from my last post.

www.childcarseats.org.uk/carrying-other-peoples-children/child-seat-and-seat-belt-laws/

Where here does it say children have to be over 12 or 13?

Orlande · 16/10/2018 18:03

Mine have often gone in the front in a suitable car seat, from 2ish.

MaxTeyon · 16/10/2018 18:08

Never seen an age restriction for front seats?

The only one that applies is for cars with no seatbelts, then kids have to be 12/135cm

TatterdemalionAspie · 16/10/2018 18:37

It is truly fucking alarming how eager people are to pile in with pronouncements of 'facts' that are not only wrong but potentially very dangerous. Hmm

BolleauxtoBankers · 16/10/2018 18:45

Good news, Can - make sure your DF is on your insurance for the trip! Hope your little ones have a great time with him!

biscuitmillionaire · 16/10/2018 18:46

"Children 3 years and over, up to 135cm tall must sit in the rear and use an adult seat belt. Children aged 12 years or more, or over 135cm tall, may travel the front, but must wear the seat belt."
childcarseats.org

I'm really shocked by people who put their two year old in the front seat.

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