I was wondering if it was okay to have a seven year old sit on someone's (an adult's) lap in the back seat. We will be taking a trip this summer to my father's and I need to know if he needs to bring 2 cars to the airport. We use to do it when I was young but I know the seat belt laws have changed since then. Thanks for your help.
Thanks for the answer!
frightening as it may seem, it is actually LEGAL to do this if ALL seatbelts are occupied. i know it sounds crazy, but it is legal. do the research and you will see. personally, i would absolutely NOT do it, but i'm a little nuerotic about safety, my almost 6yo still rides in a britax regent 5pt harness.
NO NO NO and NO!!! Do you know how many kids are thrown from cars everyday b/c they are not in a seatbelt?! I am a pediatric RN and I work in the ER. I have seen way to many children brought in with either major truamatic injuries or dead from not being restrained. I would not want ANYONE to have to experience the loss of a child b/c they were not restrained properly in the car. Please, use 2 cars and make sure everyone has a seatbelt, booster seat and car seat that are installed properly.
I hate to be direct, but . . . . ARE YOU KIDDING ME!? Of course it is not OK! Any child should ALWAYS be in their own seat, with the proper restraint for their age. For a seven year old, that would be a seat belt.
If I saw you driving and noticed a child sitting on an adult's lap, I would call the cops . . .
Not only is it illegal but the law for child safety seats are 80 lbs and 4'9" before they can ride without one. You should take a car seat for all 3 kids unless the oldest meets the safety requirements.
No, that is no longer legal. All children under 17 must be in a seatbelt (or carseat) no matter where they are in the car. An offense is a misdemeanor punishable by a $100-$200 fine.
It is very illegal now to do that. If you are visiting for a while, you could look into renting a van or such for your time there to avoid always taking two cars somewhere.
J.
It's actually illegal an unsafe at any age.
please take too cars, in this day and time you do not want to chance any accidents or puttting your child in an uncomfortable situation.
Not only is it illegal, but very unsafe. Use two cars and make sure everyone is buckled in.
Absolutely not. Your childs safety comes first. Not safe at all.
no it is not safe, your 7 year old will be a pillow to the adult and could be crushed by the wight of the adult in an accident.
mom of 5 <><
