and Is it legal for my child to travel in the front passenger seat?
A: Yes. If your child is aged under 12 years they must be using an appropriate child restraint, unless they are over 135cm (4 FEET 9 INCHES) in height. Once a child is taller than 135cm, you may move a child out of the booster seat or booster cushion, regardless of their age, although they must still legally use the adult belt. It is the drivers responsibility to ensure that every passenger under 14 is restrained within the law.
However, if a child is in a rearward facing child car seat, and the front passenger seat is protected by an active frontal airbag, then it is illegal to carry your child in the front – even if he/she is using a booster seat..
Although the law does allow you to carry children in the front (with the one exception above), it is safer for children to travel in the rear.
Q: Is it safe for my child to travel in the front seat?
A: It is safer for your child to travel in the rear seat as there are more front impact crashes. Therefore if you have the choice, put your child in an appropriate preferably high back booster seat rear passenger seat. If the middle rear seat has a 3-point diagonal belt, this is the safest seat to travel in. Always check that the child seat fits properly in the position and in the car booster seat you have chosen.
