MD: "Well, on the bright side, it might just serve to drive home the "Nanny State as the Enemy" reality."
Sometimes when I have my four year old son in the back seat in his seat I wish I could let him ride up front. But, I also am grateful to know he's safer in the back even if he's there because the state says he must be.
More times than not my 8yo is in the back seat. Not because the state says so, but because I know she is safer. The state does not say so, it's perfectly legal for her to be in the front seat. I am the one saying so.
My point was that in some states I am required to have my 8yo in a car seat because of her height and weight. I no longer have a car seat, therefore it is illegal for me to drive in some states with my child in the car.