Ride in the backseat until 13 years of age?
When we bought cars with air bags, we thought we were buying safer cars. Recent news tells us, however, that expanding air bags have been responsible for the deaths of 32 children. While alarming, this does not mean that air-bag equipped cars are dangerous. It does mean, however, that we need to rethink how we transport our children. Here’s what you need to know. The facts The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that 30 of the 32 children who died were not properly buckled or were not wearing a safety belt. Air bags were never meant to replace belts — they were always meant to supplement them. Seat belts prevent you from being thrown out of the car in a crash. They also keep you from hitting the interior of the car. You have to wear a seat belt even if there is an air bag. Despite mandatory safety belt use laws in all 50 states for children (and in 49 states for adults), NHTSA reports that only 68 percent of drivers and passengers regularly wear safety belts
