Where must child restraint seats be used in a vehicle?

Child restraint seats are designed to provide the highest level of safety for young passengers in the event of a collision. Research and safety guidelines highlight that the back seat is the safest location for children under the age of 13. This is primarily because the back seat is further away from the front impact zone, where the majority of collisions occur. Additionally, the presence of airbags in the front seat can pose a risk to young children, especially those in rear-facing seats; in the event of an accident, an airbag deployment can cause serious injury.

In contrast, using child restraint seats in the front seat, driver's seat, or on a passenger's lap significantly increases the risk of injury in the event of a crash. Safety regulations and recommendations from organizations such as the American Academy of Pediatrics strongly endorse placing child safety seats in the back seat to minimize potential harm and ensure maximum protection for young occupants. Therefore, the appropriate answer reflects best practices in vehicle safety and child protection.