The Back Seat Is Best for Children
Infant car seats, when placed in the front seat, may not function properly. It is designed for infant car seats to be used in the back seat, where they are released at speeds of up to 400mph to keep small children safe from the potential harm of an airbag deployment. The back seat also provides protection for children from impacts and ensures that they are positioned away from the windshield, with cushioned seats acting as a barrier between them and the glass, as frontal impacts are the most common cause of injuries in car accidents. Most car manufacturers recommend that children remain in the back seat until the age of 13, although there are no official laws in Oklahoma regarding the legal age at which children can ride in the front passenger seat. Ultimately, the back seat is always considered the safest option for children.
The Safety Laws for Child in Oklahoma require that children remain in rear-facing car seats as long as possible, according to the recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics and the CDC.
Infants should never be placed in a front-facing seat with an active airbag. Safety experts caution that the seat should be pushed back as far as possible from the dashboard. However, in Oklahoma, where there is no law requiring back seat-only use, children may legally ride in a front seat when absolutely necessary.
Understanding Penalties for Breaking Child Safety Laws in Oklahoma
Violations that continue to occur will result in increased fines. The court must also bear the expenses, but individuals who violate Oklahoma’s child safety seat laws will initially face a fine of $50.00.
Since the child was not properly restrained or securely fastened into a car seat or seatbelt, this could negatively impact their medical care and the decisions made by their caregivers. In Oklahoma, there are arguments suggesting that the driver who failed to properly secure the child could be implicated in the defense of comparative negligence.
To ensure the safety of children on Oklahoma’s roadways, it is important for lawyers in Oklahoma City to learn and speak about the child safety laws, aiming to make the roads as secure as possible.
