Final answer:
Yes. Children under the age of 12 should indeed always ride in the back seat for safety reasons, and different car seat regulations apply depending on their age. Although teen vehicle fatalities are a concern, the average daily number does not usually exceed 20.
Step-by-step explanation:
Should children under the age of 12 always ride in the back seat? The general recommendation, supported by safety experts and traffic authorities, is Yes. Children under the age of 12 are usually safer in the back seat of a vehicle due to the risk of airbag-related injuries in front seat collisions. Specifically, for different age ranges:
- Children ages 0 to 2.5 should always be in a rear-facing car seat in the back.
- Children ages 2.5 to 6 should be in a forward-facing car seat in the back.
- Children ages 6-13 should use booster seats if they do not fit properly in a seat belt or continue to ride in the back While not necessarily children, individuals ages 13-20 should also follow safety guidelines relevant to their size and the vehicle's features.
Regarding the question of whether it is likely that more than 20 teens will be killed from motor vehicle injuries on any given day in the United States, based on statistical data, it is unlikely. The actual number of fatalities can fluctuate, but averages are typically lower than 20 per day across the nation.