Lino Ochoa | January 16, 2025 | Texas Law
Ensuring your child’s safety in a moving car is one of the biggest responsibilities for parents and caregivers. A common question among parents in McAllen, Texas is, “When is it safe and legal for my kid to sit in the front seat?” Knowing the laws and recommendations around child passenger safety can help protect your family on the road.
What Texas Law Says
There’s no specific regulation in Texas that dictates how old a child has to be to sit in the front seat. However, the law does require all kids under eight years old to be secured in an appropriate child safety seat if they’re shorter than 4 feet 9 inches. Once a child outgrows car seats, they must use a seat belt, provided it fits properly, regardless of where they sit.
While the law does not specify a minimum age for sitting in the front seat, the Texas Department of Public Safety and other organizations recommend that children under 13 sit in the back.
This aligns with child passenger safety guidelines issued by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), which detail the risks children face in a car accident from front airbags and crash impact zones.
Why The Back Seat Is Safer For Kids
The back seat is the safest place for children to ride in a car for several reasons:
- Front-seat airbags are designed to protect adults; when deployed in a crash, they can cause a child to suffer head, neck, or chest injuries.
- Kids in the back seat are less likely to get hurt in an accident than those in the front seat.
- Younger children are more likely to fit properly in booster seats and seat belts when they’re buckled in the back.
Parents and caregivers in McAllen should follow certain best practices to make sure their kids are safe every time they ride in the car. Make sure to:
- Follow Car Seat Guidelines: Double-check that your child is using the appropriate car seat, booster seat, or seat belt based on their age, height, and weight.
- Keep Kids in the Back: Regardless of state law, encourage children younger than 13 to ride in the back seat.
- Secure Proper Fit: Make sure seat belts fit your child correctly, with the lap belt snug across their thighs and the shoulder belt crossing the middle of their chest and shoulder.
Additionally, you can keep up with any changes to the law and the latest child safety suggestions from trusted sources. The AAP is a great place to start, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) also has helpful information.
Local Concerns
In McAllen, family life tends to involve regular car rides to school, sports, and community events. With so many busy roads and a higher traffic volume near the U.S.-Mexico border, residents can face a higher risk of car crashes in McAllen. Parents should take extra precautions to ensure their kids are seated safely and securely on every trip, no matter how short.
Additionally, families can get help from local resources to improve their child’s safety. Look for car seat safety checks or educational programs offered by organizations like the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) or local law enforcement. They often give free inspections to check that your car seat is installed and used correctly.
Keep Your Kids Safe
While Texas law doesn’t mandate a specific age for children to sit in the front seat, safety experts strongly recommend that kids younger than 13 continue to ride in the back seat. McAllen parents can protect their families from unnecessary risks by following these guidelines.
Contact the McAllen, TX Car Accident law firm of The Law Office of Lino H. Ochoa to schedule a free initial consultation.
We serve Hidalgo County and its surrounding areas:
The Law Office of Lino H. Ochoa
6316 N 10th St Building D, Suite 102
McAllen, Texas, 78504
(956) 815-0055
Hours: Monday to Friday,
from 8 am – 5 pm