Will holding a child in the front passenger seat result in penalty points in 2020?
2 Answers
In 2020, holding a child in the front passenger seat will not result in penalty points, but it may incur a fine. For the safety of the child, it is recommended that children under the age of 14 sit in the back seat, and younger children should use a child safety seat, which ensures their safety. In the event of an accident, the impact of the front passenger airbag is particularly strong, which is why it is not advisable for children to sit in the front passenger seat. Guidelines for front passenger seat occupancy: 1. Minors should not sit in the front passenger seat; they can sit in the rear seats with the child safety lock engaged on the rear doors. 2. Pregnant women should not sit in the front passenger seat, as the design of the front passenger seat belt does not account for pregnancy, making it difficult to ensure the safety of the passenger in the event of an accident.
I remember in 2020 when I was driving with my friend and his child, the kid was held on the front passenger seat. We got pulled over by traffic police, received a lecture, and were fined 200 RMB, but no points were deducted. However, the officer made it very clear that holding a child in the front seat is unsafe, as children under 12 must use a child safety seat in the rear, otherwise it violates the Road Traffic Safety Law. Back in 2020, such cases usually resulted in fines, with point deductions depending on specific violation details and local regulations—some places would deduct 1 point. The key issue is safety: the front airbag deployment can injure the child, and holding them during sudden braking risks them being thrown forward. Since that lesson, I’ve always insisted on children sitting in rear safety seats—keeping a proper seat in the car saves a lot of hassle. Everyone should pay attention to the rules before driving; don’t cut corners for convenience.
