Where in the car should a child who is 7 years old and under 4'9" sit in a vehicle?

The safest place for a child who is 7 years old and under 4'9" is in a child car seat. This is because child car seats are specifically designed to provide the best protection for children in the event of a crash. They offer appropriate support, alignment, and restraint for a child’s smaller body, reducing the risk of injury significantly compared to using a standard seat belt in a regular seat.

For children of this age and height, using a booster seat also ensures that the vehicle's seat belt fits properly over the child's body. However, the correct choice emphasizes the importance of a child car seat, which is particularly essential for younger and smaller children, as it secures them in a way that is tailored to their developmental needs.

Other options, such as sitting in the front seat with a seat belt or in the trunk, pose significant safety risks. The front seat can expose children to serious injury from airbags, which are designed for adults. Furthermore, sitting in the trunk is illegal in many places and is extremely dangerous as it provides no protection in the event of a collision.