Newly released data by Harbor-UCLA Medical Center shows that front seat air bags are dangerous to children riding in the front seat at an older age than originally thought.  Research was conducted on crash test data from 1995 to 2002, looking for height and weight indicators for front seat air bag safety.  Height and weight have no effect, but age does, according to this new report which recommends that parents keep their kids in the back seat until age 15.  So, basically, children are now supposed to ride in the back until they get their driving permit, I suppose. 

The Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center is releasing this new report today with recommendations for parents to extend the time their children ride in the back seat.  The researchers were looking for height and weight guidelines related to front seat air bag safety, but instead found age to be a more significant factor.  During puberty, a child’s bone density and muscle mass increases, which may allow the young passenger to be protected from the air bag.  Socially, this could be hard to implement, because many 12 year olds are counting the days until their 13th birthday so they can ride in the front seat.  Perhaps reports such as this one will help.