Yes, I would let my child ride in the front seat for this
No, I would not let my child ride in the front seat for this
Other
'...everything can be taken from a man but one thing, the Last of the Human Freedoms, the ability to choose one's behavior in any set of circumstances, the Freedom to Choose One's Own Way.' -Viktor Frankle
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We just went through this. DH and I took a while to decide to let DS1 (newly 11) ride in front for the all-school parade at a state park. As it turned out, probably 3/4 or more of the kids of all ages were in the front seat, hanging out the windows, sticking out of the sunroof, hanging out in the back of a pickup truck, or otherwise unrestrained. Made me feel a little better about our decision.
DD 6/06
DS 4/09
DS 5/12
OP, I'm assuming it's local streets, low speed limit (25mph or lower; in NJ, most residential areas have a 25mph speed limit), and your 11-year-old knows how to wear a seat belt properly, so, yes, by all means, let him sit in the front passenger seat.
I might, if I were really nervous, slid the seat as far back from the dash as I could to protect my child from an airbag deployment.
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Liz
DD (3/2010)
"Make mistakes! Get messy!" - Miss Frizzle