Will holding a child in the front seat result in penalty points?
2 Answers
Holding a child while driving in the main driver's seat constitutes a traffic violation that hinders safe driving. The passenger will be fined between five and thirty yuan. According to the "Road Traffic Safety Law of the People's Republic of China": the use of seat belts is mandatory; minors under the age of 12 are not allowed to sit in the front seat of a motor vehicle, and preschool children seated in the rear must use a dedicated child seat as required. Hazards of children sitting in the front passenger seat: When the airbag deploys, it can instantly knock a child unconscious. In the event of a collision, children are prone to being thrown out. Seat belts are designed for adults and are not suitable for children. Children are active and can severely distract the driver. Precautions for using child safety seats: Ensure the child safety seat is installed correctly. Do not let children sit alone in the back seat. The danger of sitting alone in the back is no less than sitting in the front. Active children may open doors or windows, leading to accidents, and cannot take care of themselves in emergencies. Therefore, avoid driving alone with a child whenever possible. Do not use child safety seats that are past their expiration date or have been involved in accidents. Additional precautions for children in cars: Do not leave children alone in the vehicle; beware of choking on snacks and injuries from sharp objects—avoid leaving granular food or toys with sharp edges near children; do not allow children to stick their heads or hands out of the window.
As a father of two children, I deeply relate to this topic. If you're caught on camera holding a child in the front seat while driving, you'll definitely face penalty points and fines. China's traffic regulations clearly stipulate that children under 12 must sit in the back row and use dedicated child safety seats. Holding a child in the front seat is a serious violation. Once captured by traffic cameras, traffic police will issue a ticket based on the recording, typically deducting 3 points and imposing a 200 RMB fine. I learned this the hard way - a few years ago when taking my kid out, I held them in the front for convenience and got caught by a highway camera. Only after receiving the ticket did I regret it. The key issue is the major safety hazard: during a collision, airbags inflate rapidly with force reaching 300 kg, which a child simply can't withstand; in case of sudden braking, the child might be thrown out of the window. I advise everyone not to take chances - there are numerous cameras on urban roads and highways. Spend some money on a qualified child safety seat installed in the center of the back row - this is the safest and most worry-free solution. After developing this habit, my children have adapted to it, making our drives much more secure.
