Children riding in front seat of car!

Tell me if I'm being overprotective...here's the situation
We started a camp carpool yesterday with a few other families. Yesterday, the person driving had a car that she put 6 kids in. When my kids came home, they said the mother told them that it was OK for kids to ride in the front b/c there is no airbag. I asked them if they were in the front and they said no, but they had to share a belt in the back. Today, the mother driving came with a kid riding in the front. I have told my kids that they are not allowed to ever ride in the front seat of a van or car. It is such an unsafe practice. My 8 year old is very bold and very into safety, so I trust that she would make sure she and her sister are not in the front.
Should I tell the camp counselor about my rule (which is just a matter of safety)? This front-seat riding is a very common practice in my city, so the other parents will think I'm being nuts. (I've also seen carseats being put in the passenger front seat as well) Am I being overprotective? I just feel that this is not safe and I'm going to worry about my kids travelling back and forth to camp except on the day we drive (we have enough seats for everyone to sit in back))!!!

Diamond Member Joined: Apr 03 2006 Posts: 4473

Gold Member Joined: May 04 2006 Posts: 1720

my husband was just telling me, that he cant understand how people put young kids untill the age of 12 in the front seat, it just buggles his mind how people can be so irresponsible.
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Posted: Tue, Jul 04 2006, 12:01 pm Post subject:

The front seat is not illegal if there's no airbag, but it's not recommended.

Platinum Member Joined: Mar 20 2005 Posts: 5270

It is not safe and you are not being overprotective

Moderator Joined: Mar 29 2005 Posts: 18312

The front seat without an airbag is not the safest seat in the car for a child or adult. It doesn't really matter the age so much, as the size of the child -- how well the seat belt fits, etc. You can have an 8 year old who is 80 lbs. otr a small 12 year old who is 70 lbs. and still should be in a booster seat according to the federal recommendations. But I think the biggest child, as long as he/she is over 8 and can fit in the seat belt well, with the shoulder and lap components fit snugly in the right position should be the one in the front as opposed to double buckling, which I don't think is as safe as a proper seat belt in the front seat with no airbag.

Platinum Member Joined: Oct 27 2005 Posts: 6749

You are being responsible, if you can trust the mother not to put your kids in the front, you're fine

now I'll edit, -

but you cud always just say you dont like anyones kids to be in the front so you'll just take your own kids.

I don't understand why you are putting your kids in a car pool if there are not enough safe seats for all the kids. So...you expect someone else's child to sit in the front - even if they are maybe smaller and lighter than your own child?

Why don't you just drive your own kids there and back yourself, or make a carpool with just one other family, so there will be enough safe seats for everyone, not just your own kids.

Diamond Member Joined: Apr 03 2006 Posts: 4473

Platinum Member Joined: Oct 27 2005 Posts: 6749

original amother her...I did not realize when the carpool was arranged that there were not enough safe seats. I was out of town over the weekend when it was arrannged (my kids are in a small camp with 6 kids, 5 families). Someone left a message that each family would take a day to drive. I just figured that everyone had enough seats. This is the 1st carpool we have been a part of. I bcame aware of the problem yesterday afternoon (the 1st carpool day) that this was not the case. This morning I noticed the same thing happening. My dh and I have been discussing what to do as both of us are nervous about it. I certainly don't want anyone's child to be put an a spot that is not safe! I'm not sure why people where I live put their kids in the front, but it is done a lot. If I had been in town when the arrangements were made I would have made sure there was room for everyone to be safe. Now I just have to figure out what to do and do it in a way as not to offend anyone.

Gold Member Joined: Nov 14 2004 Posts: 1741

You don't say how old the other kids are.But if there are no airbags older kids can sit in front,although I personaly don't allow it. Nor do I ever allow double buckling.An expert once told me that if you are ever in a bind,b'dieved you can buckle 3 kids in 2 seat belts. the middle child being buckled 2x.The children should be of similar weights & heights.
You are not being overprotective at all. I was once so proud of my son when his principle had to drive himhome b/c he refused to get in the car with a father who told him "rarely does anyone get hurt infront of an aribag if they are buckled".& he also wouldn't double buckle in back.

Silver Member Joined: Apr 05 2006 Posts: 807

I don't allow my kids (12 and almost 9) to ride in the front seat or be double buckled. I would rather take them both ways and have them safe. Also, my almost 9 year old is not tall enough (and only weighs about 50 lbs) to sit without a booster seat, and I make sure that when she is in a car/van that she is in a booster seat.

original amother here
All the kids are 7 and 8
Before yesterday I had never even heard of "double buckling"!
I'm new to the whole carpool scene!

Diamond Member Joined: Dec 18 2005 Posts: 2961

I'm sorry you ended up in this carpool situation. I was new to the carpool scene once too and almost ended up in a carpool like that. now I am very picky about fellow carpoolers, ALL kids must have boosters - in their car and in mine. I will not tolerate "I have a booster for your son" but the other kids are double buckled nor will I tolerate "Its ok, my child doesn't need a booster in your car, she doesn't like it". Its sometimes hard to find other like minded parents, but I am resigned to driving every day if need be.
I think your best bet is to speak to the other drivers, see where they stand and if necessary pull out.

Gold Member Joined: Nov 14 2004 Posts: 1741

granolamom is 100% right. We owe our children our best at keeping them safe.That includes seatbelts,one per person, boosters, bike helmets....These are givens.
Sometimes people will make comments about going overboard, or that it's "only around the corner".It is hard if all the others aren't as "obsessed" as you.Be firm. It's your child.

You are not being overprotective. It is illegal and unsafe to do what is being done. I would also advise you not to allow "double buckling". Amother, I would pull the kids out of that carpool and drive them yourself.
Granola- I am with you totally.

Moderator Joined: Mar 29 2005 Posts: 18312

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Platinum Member Joined: Jan 01 2006 Posts: 48156

As a child, my parents called it "The Death Seat".