The Safest Way for Children to Enter and Exit a Vehicle Near Traffic

Last Updated: August 11, 2026

Editor’s Note: This guide addresses the transition between a vehicle and a sidewalk, driveway, parking lot, school loading area, or other place near traffic. It does not replace the instructions for your vehicle, car seat, booster seat, mobility equipment, or school drop-off program.

Why Vehicle Entry and Exit Require Care

Children can be difficult for drivers to see around parked or backing vehicles. They may also move suddenly, walk between parked cars, or open a door without noticing an approaching bicycle, scooter, or vehicle.

NHTSA advises pedestrians and drivers to watch carefully for vehicles entering or leaving driveways and backing in parking lots. NHTSA also warns that backovers can occur when a driver does not see a child behind a vehicle.

Common hazards around stopped or parked vehicles include:

Passing traffic: A child may step into a travel lane or bicycle lane.
Opening doors: A door can enter the path of a bicyclist, scooter rider, pedestrian, or passing vehicle.
Backing vehicles: Drivers leaving driveways and parking spaces may not see a small child.
Falls and pinched fingers: Curbs, door sills, slippery surfaces, and closing doors can cause injuries.
Unsupervised vehicle access: Children may climb into an unlocked vehicle, become trapped, or operate vehicle controls.

Safety Guidance Versus Law

Using the side away from moving traffic is safety guidance, not a statement that federal law requires every child to use a particular passenger-car door. Parking, stopping, loading-zone, bicycle-lane, and child-restraint requirements vary by state and locality. Follow posted signs, school procedures, local traffic rules, and the instructions for the vehicle and child restraint.

The Core Principle: Use the Protected Side When Feasible

When practical, have children enter and exit on the side facing a sidewalk, curb, designated walkway, or other area separated from moving traffic. This is often the passenger side, but not always. For example, the protected side may be the driver’s side when a vehicle is legally parked on the left side of a one-way street.

Before stopping, evaluate the actual surroundings:

Which side faces a sidewalk, curb, shoulder, or designated loading area?
Is there a bicycle lane between the vehicle and the curb?
Would an open door extend into a travel lane or the path of bicyclists?
Can you choose a different parking space or loading location?
Does the child’s restraint position affect which door can be used safely?

Do not move a correctly installed car seat for a single pickup or drop-off without first checking the car-seat instructions and vehicle owner’s manual. If the child’s door faces traffic, choose a safer stopping location when possible. If traffic-side access is unavoidable, an adult should check for approaching road users, control the door, supervise the child closely, and move the child promptly to a protected area.

Strategies for Different Situations

Situation	Safer Approach
Street parking	Use the door facing the sidewalk or other protected area when the child’s restraint and vehicle layout allow it. Check for bicycles, scooters, vehicles, and pedestrians before opening any door.
Minivan with sliding doors	Use the sliding door on the protected side when possible. Keep the traffic-facing door closed during loading and unloading.
Child seated on the traffic-facing side	Choose a safer parking location if possible. Otherwise, an adult should approach the child’s door, check for approaching traffic, control the door, and maintain close supervision.
Parking lot	Use a designated walkway when available. Keep a young child beside you or hold the child’s hand rather than allowing the child to move alone between parked vehicles.
One-way street with permitted left-side parking	Identify the protected side from the surroundings rather than assuming the passenger side is safer.

A Safer Exit Sequence

Keep children properly restrained until the vehicle has stopped and the adult is ready to supervise the exit. Plan the unloading order so that no child is left unsupervised near traffic or allowed to move behind a vehicle that may back up.

Stop and secure the vehicle. Shift into Park and secure the vehicle as directed by its owner’s manual.
Check the surroundings. Look for moving vehicles, bicycles, scooters, and pedestrians.
Exit carefully. When practical, the adult should get out before releasing a young child.
Approach the child’s door. Check again before opening it, especially when a bicycle lane or travel lane is nearby.
Control the door. Open it only as far as necessary. Do not allow the child to push it into traffic.
Unbuckle and assist the child. Maintain close control while helping the child out.
Move directly to the protected area. Hold a young child’s hand or keep the child within immediate reach until everyone is on the sidewalk, walkway, or another area away from moving vehicles.
Check before closing. Make sure fingers, hands, clothing, and mobility equipment are clear of the door.

Rear-door child safety locks can help prevent a young child from opening a door unexpectedly. Use them according to the vehicle owner’s manual, and make sure every caregiver understands how the doors operate.

School Drop-Off and Pickup

School loading areas may include moving vehicles, buses, pedestrians, bicycles, and families under time pressure. Follow posted procedures and directions from authorized school staff or crossing guards.

School-Zone Safety Steps

Use the designated loading area. Do not create an unofficial drop-off point where the child must move through active traffic. Do not stop in a crosswalk or bicycle lane.
Keep the child buckled until the vehicle stops. Do not allow a child to remove a harness or seat belt while the vehicle is moving through the line.
Prepare belongings in advance. Organize school items before the trip when possible so the child can exit without unnecessary delay.
Use the designated door. Follow the school’s instructions about which side children should use.
Use marked routes. Do not allow children to cross between stopped vehicles. Use designated walkways and crosswalks and follow crossing-guard instructions.
Provide age-appropriate supervision. AAP guidance recommends adult accompaniment, along with active pedestrian-safety instruction, for most children younger than 10 in most environments. A child’s maturity, abilities, route, traffic conditions, and visibility also matter.

Bulky coats can create extra space under a car-seat harness. NHTSA recommends lightweight layers under the harness and placing a blanket or coat over the properly secured child when additional warmth is needed. Follow the car-seat manufacturer’s instructions.

For more guidance, see School Drop-Off and Parking-Lot Safety.

Driveway and Backover Safety

NHTSA describes a typical backover as an incident in which a driver backing from a driveway or parking space does not see a child behind the vehicle. Small children may be especially difficult to see and can move into a vehicle’s path after the driver initially checks the area.

Before Moving a Vehicle

Account for every child. Physically confirm where children are instead of relying on where you last saw them.
Walk around the vehicle. Check behind, beside, and in front of it before getting in.
Keep children under active supervision. A responsible adult should hold a young child’s hand or keep the child in a secure area away from the driveway.
Back slowly while continuing to look. Check mirrors, look behind the vehicle as appropriate, and remain alert for anyone entering its path.
Keep toys and bicycles out of the driveway. Teach children that driveways and parking areas are not play spaces.
Lock unattended vehicles. Keep keys and remote-entry devices out of children’s reach.

Backup cameras and detection systems can help drivers see or detect some hazards, but they have limitations. NHTSA advises caregivers not to rely solely on cameras, warning systems, or other detection devices when checking for children around a vehicle.

A Safer Entry Sequence

Keep the child beside you. Do not allow a young child to wait in a travel lane, bicycle lane, or behind a vehicle.
Check before opening the door. Look for approaching vehicles, bicycles, scooters, and pedestrians.
Control the door. Open it only as wide as necessary.
Help the child into the correct restraint. Keep the child under close supervision until seated.
Buckle and verify. Secure the harness or seat belt according to the child-restraint instructions and vehicle owner’s manual. Check an older child’s buckling rather than assuming it was done correctly.
Store belongings appropriately. Keep bags and other items from interfering with the child’s seating position or restraint.
Check the doorway. Make sure hands, feet, clothing, and equipment are clear before closing the door.
Confirm that everyone is properly buckled before moving.

Teaching Children Safe Habits

Pedestrian skills develop gradually. NHTSA’s child pedestrian curriculum includes lessons on walking near traffic, crossing streets, crossing intersections, parking-lot safety, and school-bus safety. The AAP recommends repeated instruction, adult supervision, and good adult modeling.

For Younger Children

“Wait for the grown-up.” Do not open a vehicle door or unbuckle without permission.
“Stay close.” Hold an adult’s hand near traffic and in parking lots.
“Walk, don’t run.” Move directly to the sidewalk or designated walkway.
“Cars can move.” Do not play behind, beside, or under vehicles.

For School-Age Children

Look for vehicles, bicycles, scooters, and pedestrians before opening a door.
Open the door slowly and only as far as needed.
Use sidewalks, designated walkways, and crosswalks rather than walking between parked vehicles.
Watch for reverse lights, engine sounds, moving wheels, and other signs that a parked vehicle may move.
Put phones and headphones away around traffic.

For Older Children

Practice checking mirrors and looking over the shoulder before opening a traffic-facing door.
Teach them that a bicycle, scooter, electric vehicle, or other road user may approach quietly.
Continue supervision until the child demonstrates reliable judgment in the specific environment.

There is no single age at which every child can safely manage traffic independently. AAP guidance indicates that most child pedestrians younger than 10 need adult accompaniment in most environments. Older children may also need supervision on busy, complex, poorly lit, or unfamiliar routes.

Special Circumstances

Disability and Mobility Equipment

Children who use wheelchairs, walkers, ramps, lifts, or other adaptive equipment may need additional time and space. Follow the instructions for the vehicle and adaptive equipment. Use accessible parking or loading areas only when authorized, and keep the child separated from moving traffic throughout the transfer.

For individualized assistance, caregivers can consult the child’s health care team, equipment provider, vehicle modifier, and a child passenger safety technician familiar with adaptive transportation.

Rain, Snow, Ice, Darkness, and Low Visibility

Choose a cleared, well-lit loading area when possible. Check the walking surface before helping the child out, use available handrails, and allow extra time. NHTSA advises drivers to use extra caution at night and during bad weather because pedestrians can be harder to see.

Emergencies

Do not step into moving traffic unless necessary to escape an immediate threat. Do not drive with an unrestrained child. For a serious injury, breathing problem, loss of consciousness, or other medical emergency, call 911 and follow the dispatcher’s instructions.

The Bottom Line

When feasible, use the door facing a sidewalk, curb, designated walkway, or another area protected from moving traffic. Because parking layouts, bicycle lanes, school procedures, and car-seat positions vary, caregivers should evaluate the actual environment rather than relying on a fixed passenger-side rule.

Use a consistent routine:

Stop in a legal, designated location.
Keep children buckled until an adult is ready to assist.
Check for vehicles, bicycles, scooters, and pedestrians before opening a door.
Control the door and maintain close supervision.
Hold a young child’s hand in parking lots and near traffic.
Account for every child and walk around the vehicle before backing.
Use cameras and sensors as supplements, not substitutes for active observation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What if there is no sidewalk?
A: Choose a different loading location when possible. If no safer option is available, stop as far from moving traffic as legally and safely possible. The adult should control the door, keep the child close, and move directly toward a protected destination. When walking along a road without a sidewalk, NHTSA advises walking facing traffic and as far from traffic as possible.

Q: Is the rear passenger-side door always the safest door?
A: No. The safer side depends on the parking location, traffic direction, bicycle lanes, vehicle layout, and the child’s restraint position. Use the side facing the protected area when practical.

Q: Can an older child open their own door?
A: Readiness depends on the child and the environment, not age alone. The child should consistently check for approaching traffic, control the door, and follow instructions before doing this independently.

Q: What if the child’s car seat is on the traffic-facing side?
A: Do not change a correct installation without checking the car-seat instructions and vehicle owner’s manual. Choose a safer parking location when possible. If traffic-side access is unavoidable, an adult should check for approaching road users, control the door, and supervise the child closely.

Q: Do backup cameras eliminate the need for a walk-around?
A: No. A camera may not show every hazard, and a child can move behind the vehicle after the initial check. Walk around the vehicle before backing and continue checking while the vehicle is moving.

Q: What should I do if a bicycle lane is next to the parked vehicle?
A: Treat the bicycle lane as active traffic space. Check carefully before opening a door, do not allow the child to swing the door open, and choose another loading location when a door cannot be opened without obstructing the lane.

Sources

Safety Disclaimer: This content provides general educational information and is not medical or legal advice. Follow the instructions for your vehicle, car seat, booster seat, and adaptive equipment. Child-restraint, parking, and loading rules vary by jurisdiction. Verify local requirements with the appropriate state or local authority. In an emergency, call 911.

Editorial Team

Kids Aren’t Cars Editorial Team researches and maintains practical educational content about child passenger and vehicle safety. Our articles prioritize current official guidance, manufacturer instructions, primary sources, and clear corrections when information changes. Professional review is identified on an individual article only when a specific qualified reviewer has actually participated and can be identified.