The most crucial child passenger law in Nevada is NRS 484B.157, which requires that children under six and under 60 pounds be in an approved child restraint system. That refers to a car or booster seat corresponding to the child’s height and weight.
Even though the law is meant for children up to age 6, safety experts feel you should wait a lot longer to put any child in the front passenger seat of a vehicle. Many parents are confronted with the question: When can kids sit in the front seat? Although Nevada does not have a specific law concerning the minimum age for riding in the front seat, experts agree that the minimum age for a child to ride in the front passenger seat is 13.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) agree that children 12 and younger should be in the back seat. The back seat is the safest place for children because it offers better protection than the front seat in a crash, especially in a head-on collision.
What Are the Risks of Allowing a Child to Sit in the Front Too Early?
Allowing a child to sit in the front seat too early could present several serious hazards, including:
- Airbag Injuries: Airbags deploy with enough force to injure a child’s head, neck, or chest.
- Seat Belt Fit: A child’s seatbelt may cross their stomach or neck instead of fitting over the hips and shoulder. A seat belt that doesn’t fit correctly can cause injury regardless of the position of the seat belt.
- More Force in a Collision: When children are buckled up in appropriately and are seated in the back seat, they will receive less force in a head-on collision than if they were sitting in the front.
Things Parents Should Consider Before Letting Kids Sit in the Front Seat
- It is recommended that people aged 13 or older sit in the front seat. A Child Passenger Safety Manual Guidelines for Safe Transportation of Kids
- The seat belt should lie appropriately across the shoulders and hips.
- A child should be adequately seated, sitting upright, not leaning forward, or unbuckled.
- Many vehicles have airbags that are too strong or too close to the child for them to remain safe, which parents should consider.
Penalties for Child Passenger Law in Nevada
There are penalties for violating the child restraint laws in Nevada, including a fine of $100 to $500. Beyond fines, subsequent violations could result in penalties, in addition to undergoing child safety education.
Violating these laws could cause civil or insurance leading to a record of arrest or increased insurance premiums respectively. If a child is injured as a result of violating these laws, parents could face strict legal action.
Key Takeaways
- Nevada law requires children under 6 years or under 60 pounds to be restrained in a car or booster seat.
- Guidance says: Children should be under 13 years old and in the back seat.
- Risks: Airbags and belt positions that create additional risks of injury when children are in the front seat.
- Penalties could include: Fines of $100-500, and possibly safety training can be part of the penalties for violations.
When a parent understands the law and the advice from experts regarding when a child can legally sit in the front seat of the vehicle, it helps them to keep their family safe.
