Is it acceptable to place a forward-facing car seat in the front passenger seat?

Placing a forward-facing car seat in the front passenger seat can be risky, which is why the choice indicating that it is acceptable only if absolutely necessary is the most prudent. The front seat can expose a child to a higher risk of injury in the event of a crash, particularly from the deployment of the front airbags, which are designed for adults.

While there may be circumstances where it seems unavoidable to place the car seat in the front, such as in vehicles that have limited back seat space or when there are multiple children in the vehicle, it is generally recommended to place children in the back seat whenever possible. The back seat is statistically safer for children under the age of 13.

Disabling the airbag might seem like a solution, but this is not an ideal or guaranteed safety measure, as airbags are designed to work with adult-sized occupants in the front seat. Therefore, suggesting that it is only permissible in a critical situation emphasizes the importance of prior preparation and using the back seat as the safest option for children.