There are many rules and regulations regarding sitting in the front seat of a car in Australia. The Australian government designed these rules to ensure the safety and protection of children. These rules and regulations vary between regions and states. Therefore, Australians are interested in knowing how old do you have to be to sit in the front seat to enjoy a comfortable and safe travelling experience. This article will provide you with the details of regulations across various states, some general suggestions about the age of children to sit in the front seat, and some safety measures.
General instructions across Australia
In general, children aged 7 years and older can legally sit in the front passenger seat in Australia. However, the rules may vary by state or territory. Here’s a simplified overview:
- Children under 4 years old: Children under 4 years old have no permission legally to sit in the front seat. They need to be safely placed in an appropriate rear-facing or forward-facing child restraint.
- Children aged 4 to 7 years: When all the rear seats are fully occupied by younger children, children of this age group can sit in the front seat. In such cases, they have to sit in a consent and properly fitted supporter seat.
- Youngsters over 7 years old: Children over 7 years old have permission lawfully to sit in the front chair. However, it is suggested that they should use the back seat to increase safety.
Particular regulations for state and territory
There are specific rules and regulations for different states and territories regarding age to sit in the front seat. Here is the detail about some specific states:
1. New South Wales (NSW)
In New South Wales, 4-year-old children are not allowed to sit in the front seat of a vehicle with multiple rows. The general age of a child must be 4 to 7 in the case when all the seats are full of other children.
2. Queensland (QLD)
In Queensland Australia, a 4-year-old baby must not sit in the front seat. If all the seats in the vehicle are occupied by children under 7, children aged 4 to 6 can sit in the front seat. The 7-year-old youngster can sit in the front seat by using an approved seat or using a seat belt.
3. Victoria
Like in NSW, children must use booster seats until they are 145 cm tall, as adult seatbelts are designed for people of this height or taller. Children at least 7 years old can use the front seat to travel in Victoria.
4. South Australia
In South Australia, children under 4 years old are prohibited from travelling in the front seat of vehicles with two or more rows of seats. Children aged 4 to 7 are permitted to sit in the front seat only under specific circumstances, such as when all the rear seats are occupied by other children under the age of 7.
5. Other states and territories
The states like Western Australia and Tasmania and territories like Western Territory and Australian Capital Territory generally follow the country guidelines with some differences. It is sensible to ask local transport authorities for certain regulations.
Safety Recommendations
Here are some safety recommendations for sitting in the front seat:
- Airbag risks: Front airbags are designed for adults, posing potential risks to young children. Make sure that airbags are at a far distance from the children.
- Height considerations: Height considerations: Studies indicate that seatbelts are specifically designed to accommodate individuals who are at least 145 cm in height. This adult seatbelt may not protect children that are shorter than 145 cm.
- Best approach: Despite legal allowance, it is suggested that children under 12 years old should sit in the rear seats. They should be properly restrained to maximise their safety.
Safety precautions for front-seat travellers
If your child has to sit in the front seat because of certain conditions, follow these safety guidelines for the protection of your child:
- Use a proper restrain: Use a proper restrain to make sure that the child is seated in a safety seat or uses an accurately tight seat belt that is according to their age and size.
- Adjust the front seat position: Adjust the position of the front seat in such a way that it should be as distant as possible. This would increase the distance between the airbag and the child.
- If possible, disable the airbag: Check for the deactivation of the airbag of the vehicle if possible. Some cars have this feature for advanced safety when the children are seated in the front seat.
The part of child restraints
Whether the children are seated in the front seats or rear seats, it is very important to use correctly safe child restraints. The instructions of Australian law are:
- Must use rear-facing child restraints for babies who are under 6 months.
- The rear or forward-facing child restraints are suggested for children aged from 6 months to 4 years.
- 4 to 7-year-old children should also use child restraints. A forward-facing restraint or booster seat is helpful for children of this age.
Conclusion
Understanding the rules of ‘how old do you have to be to sit in the front seat’ is important for road safety in Australia. While 7-year-old or above children are allowed to sit in the front seat in Australia, it is important to follow both legal demands and safety measures. Ensuring that children are the correct height, properly restrained, and aware of the rules in different states and territories will help keep your passengers safe and ensure a comfortable travel experience.
