In what scenario is it acceptable for a child under 12 months to not be in a rear-facing seat?

The position that there are no exceptions allowed for a child under 12 months to be in a rear-facing seat is based on established safety guidelines and recommendations from organizations such as the American Academy of Pediatrics. Rear-facing seats are designed to protect the head, neck, and spine of infants in the event of a collision, as they distribute the forces of a crash more evenly across the child's body.

Children under 12 months are particularly vulnerable due to the fragility of their developing bodies, and staying in a rear-facing position significantly reduces the risk of severe injury or death in an accident. Even if a child exceeds the weight limit for their rear-facing seat, they should remain in that position until they reach the maximum height or weight limits specified by the seat's manufacturer or remain rear-facing until they are at least two years old.

Traveling a short distance or a child's behavior—such as refusing to stay in the seat—do not justify placing them in a forward-facing seat, as accidents can occur at any time, even on short trips. Thus, adherence to the recommendation of keeping children in rear-facing seats until they are at least 12 months and meet the manufacturer's specifications is crucial for their safety.