Children between 2 and 4 must be in a child safety seat or secured by a seat belt. Children under 12 are prohibited from riding in the open area of pickup trucks at speeds in excess of 35 mph on public roads. Older children wear vehicle safety belts. Lap belts should be low and snug across a child's hips. The shoulder belt must not cross the face or the neck, Kingston explains.
Drivers can take several additional steps to help protect child passengers.
Pre-crash braking may throw an unrestrained child against the dashboard at or near the passenger air bag location. So, the safest place for passengers, especially those aged 12 and under, is in the back seat, Kingston says. If a toddler convertible seat must be placed in the front seat of a vehicle, move the seat position back as far as possible from the dashboard Buckle up every one, every time, Kingston adds. The reason we encourage everyone to buckle up on every trip is because most crashes happen within 25 miles of the home. Furthermore, children emulate the behavior of their parents.