Child car seat up front... From what age??

martyc5674

I heard something lately on the news about changes to the law/enforcement of current law but I didn't really catch it as there were kids screaming in my ears.

I had a quick look online and the AA say you must be four to go up front.
Whilst citizens advice say you must be three to go up front(and properly restrained)
My 3 year old often sits up front,am I breaking the law???

http://www.aaireland.ie/AA/Motoring-advice/Driving-advice/Child-Safety/Seat-belt-and-child-restraint-law.aspx

http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/travel_and_recreation/roads_and_safety/seatbelts_when_motoring_in_ireland.html

Cheers
Marty.

Gurgle

OSI wrote: »

And even then I wouldn't be happy in doing so myself.

Up front you're surrounded by airbags (depending on the car). Surely its safer there than in the back.

martyc5674

From what age though????...
The sites linked above conflict each other... One says three the other says four once appropriately restrained.
Cheers
Marty.

Turbulent Bill

From what I understand the regulations are based on weight (kids <36kg must use some form of child restraint, not just a seatbelt) and/or height (1.5m), not on age. The Citizens Info link above gives the details, but I agree it's very confusingly written.

I'm not in favour of kids in the front seat anyway, too much of a distraction and probably not intended for the safety systems in the car (airbag positions etc.).

martyc5674

Turbulent Bill wrote: »

From what I understand the regulations are based on weight (kids <36kg must use some form of child restraint, not just a seatbelt) and/or height (1.5m), not on age. The Citizens Info link above gives the details, but I agree it's very confusingly written.

I'm not in favour of kids in the front seat anyway, too much of a distraction and probably not intended for the safety systems in the car (airbag positions etc.).

I don't find it confusing it's just the links contradict each other.
One says 3...one says 4.

I am in favor of having them up front... I can give them a puck if they start napping and u want them awake.
Also my young lad loves changing gears etc.
The airbag is only considered dangerous for rear facing seats... It can hit the back of the seat and smack the Childs face into the headrest/seat.

pippip

I think I remember the airbag one becoming a penalty points offence in that last update to the system.

martyc5674

pippip wrote: »

I think I remember the airbag one becoming a penalty points offence in that last update to the system.

Sorry I don't understand you... Airbag one??
As in not disabling it with rear facing seat??
Anyway that's off topic... My lads Are forward facers do the airbag is enabled.
Marty.

Zubeneschamali

I wouldn't put kids in front until they are big enough to not need a booster: 150 cm, or 5 foot tall.

martyc5674

Ok I have all the PC answers.
I wouldn't do that until their 25 and have kids of their own etc etc.... I'm just looking for what the law actually expects.

Zubeneschamali

martyc5674 wrote: »

I'm just looking for what the law actually expects.

There's no law at all: just put them in the appropriate restraint.

Wait: If you have no seatbelts at all, they must go in the back.

goz83

It's safer in the back, especially if you drive one of those cars with 6 inches of a bonnet in front of you. Airbags are dangerous for kids, as they are too powerful and can cause brain damage, broken necks and/or death. If the child is in the back seat, he/she has a much better chance of survival in the event of a collision.

martyc5674

goz83 wrote: »

It's safer in the back, especially if you drive one of those cars with 6 inches of a bonnet in front of you. Airbags are dangerous for kids, as they are too powerful and can cause brain damage, broken necks and/or death. If the child is in the back seat, he/she has a much better chance of survival in the event of a collision.

We got all that... Now can anyone actually answer the ACTUAL question???!!
PC brigade eh!!!

Marcusm

Gurgle wrote: »

Up front you're surrounded by airbags (depending on the car). Surely its safer there than in the back.

No, because the airbags are designed for adults and can cause serious injury to kids. Iirc, to have a child in the front seat you must comply with the relevant seat/booster requirements AND be able to disarm/disable the airbags for that seat.

fox_1973

Not sure what the actual law is, but stopped at a checkpoint last year with my 10 year old up front, the garda asked him how old he was, then said to me 'you. Know he should be 12 before sitting in the front' then said he would let me away with it this time! Only the fact that I was in shock, I would of questioned him