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 percent of 3 to 6 year olds were sitting in the front seats of vehicles with passenger airbags. This 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 4 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 officers cannot stop motorists for belt violations alone.