Overall, fewer children were observed riding in the front seats of cars with passenger airbags, compared with cars that don't have such airbags. In all three states, about 16-20 per cent of three to six year olds were sitting in the front seats of vehicles with passenger airbags. The problem of riding up front may become more dangerous as today's cars with passenger airbags reach the resale market. Children aren't riding in front seats because it's the only place for them to sit. The rear seats were unoccupied more than two-thirds of the time when children were observed sitting in front, and about 20 percent of the time there was only one person sitting in the rear.
All states have mandatory child restraint laws.
However, children four and older often are covered by adult safety belt laws, most of which apply to front-seat occupants only and provide for secondary enforcement. This means that officers cannot stop motorists for belt violations alone. The safest place for any child 12 years old and under is in the back seat. The safest place for any child 12 years old and under is in the back seat. Riding with Babies Infants up to about 20 pounds and up to 1 year old should ride in a rear-facing child seat.