Where are children ages 12 and under safest when buckled in a vehicle?

Children ages 12 and under are safest in the back seat of a vehicle for several important reasons. The back seat is specifically designed to maximize protection in the event of a collision. In many car crashes, impact tends to come from the front, and being situated in the back helps to decrease the risk of injury from both the dashboard and airbags, which can deploy with great force.

Additionally, the back seat provides a greater distance from the point of impact, further lowering the chances of serious injury during a crash. Positions such as the front passenger seat expose children to higher risks, particularly from airbags that are meant for adults and may pose a danger to smaller passengers.

The trunk and on the driver's lap are not safe options at all. The trunk is completely isolated from the passenger area and offers no safety benefits, while having a child on the driver's lap significantly distracts the driver and makes both the child and the driver more vulnerable to injury in case of an accident.

Overall, placing children in the back seat of the car is reinforced by safety studies and child passenger safety guidelines, making it the optimal choice for protecting young passengers.