Parents in Peoria want to keep their children safe while driving, but the rules about when a child can sit in the front seat can be confusing. Illinois has clear laws regarding car seats, booster seats, and seatbelts, but it does not establish a specific “legal age” for riding in the front. Instead, safety experts and Illinois state agencies provide guidelines that families should follow to reduce the risk of injury.
Illinois Car Seat and Booster Seat Rules
Illinois law requires drivers to ensure that children are properly restrained in a car seat or booster seat until they are big enough to use a standard seatbelt safely. The main rules come from the Illinois Child Passenger Protection Act.
Key requirements include:
- Children under 2 years old must ride in a rear-facing car seat, unless they weigh more than 40 pounds or are taller than 40 inches.
- Children aged 2 to 8 must use a car seat or booster seat that is appropriate for their height and weight.
- Children aged 8 to 16 must wear a seatbelt at all times, whether they sit in the front or back.
Illinois recommends that children stay rear-facing as long as possible.
Recommended Age for Front Seat Riding
Illinois law does not specify a specific age at which a child can legally sit in the front seat. However, the Illinois Secretary of State and national safety organizations recommend that children ride in the back seat until they are at least 13 years old.
This recommendation is based on crash data indicating that airbags, seatbelt tension, and front-end impacts pose a higher risk to smaller passengers. Children sitting in the front seat are more likely to suffer head, neck, and chest injuries in a crash, even at moderate speeds.
Why the Back Seat Is Safer
The back seat is the safest place for children because:
- Airbags deploy with a strong force that can injure younger kids
- Front seats experience a more severe impact in head-on collisions
- Seat belts in the front are designed for adult bodies, not smaller passengers
- Booster seats work best when used in the rear seat
Even a properly buckled child faces higher injury risks in the front seat compared to the back.
Seat Belt Requirements for Older Kids
Once a child is old enough and large enough for a seat belt, Illinois law still requires proper use.
A seat belt fits correctly when:
- The lap belt sits low on the hips, not the stomach
- The shoulder belt crosses the chest, not the neck or face
- The child can sit upright without slouching
If a child cannot meet these conditions, they still need to use a booster seat until they reach about 4’9” in height.
Choosing the Right Car Seat
Parents in Peoria should follow the seat manufacturer’s instructions and check that seats are installed correctly. You can also visit local fire departments or child safety inspection sites. Proper installation is one of the most important ways to prevent injuries.
Car seat stages generally include:
- Rear-facing seats for infants and toddlers
- Forward-facing seats for older toddlers and young children
- Booster seats until the seat belt fits properly
Each stage is designed to protect children based on age, size, and bone development.
Contact the Peoria Car Accident Attorney at Joel E. Brown, P.C. for Help Today
In Peoria and throughout Illinois, there is no single legal age for front-seat riding, but safety experts strongly advise keeping children in the back seat until age 13. Following Illinois car seat rules, securing a proper booster seat, and using seat belts correctly can significantly reduce the risk of serious injury in a crash.
If you or your child has been injured in a car accident, contact our skilled personal injury attorney at Joel E. Brown, P.C to schedule a free consultation. We are conveniently located in Peoria and proudly serve Peoria County, IL, and the neighboring communities.
Joel E. Brown, P.C
416 Main Street Suite 1300, Peoria, IL 61602
(309) 673 4357
Available 24/7