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G'day guys,
Recently taken up a new job as woodworking machinery engineer and in 3 months the company is giving me an one tonner ute to take home (they havent got it yet) and I have a problem here, is that I have a 7 months old daughter, from what I know that VicRoads does not accept any babies or toddler in front passenger seat - is that correct?

Now, what should I do - Is it rude to say "oh i cannot have one tonner ute, either you will have to give me dual cub or an hatchback?" I'm only thinking about my daughter which she will need to be picked up on my way home from day care next year when my wife goes back to work.

Really in my opinion I dont need a ute because Ive worked in that field for about 3 years, the only thing i put in my wagon is electric motors, small items but never machines or anything, never have need to bring machines back as i pull the parts off and take it to the factory for repairs.

What should I do? - Has anyone been in that position?

Another thing, I have an option - for 8 thou difference, if I keep my own car its $8000 more than using their car, but they'll pay for fuel work related jobs but not from home-work etc.
OR 8000 less - they will give me company car and everything is covered.... ive already worked out - its cheaper and saves more if I use company car.

What are the suggestions?
Cheers
AP

AlpineRaven wrote:G'day guys,
Recently taken up a new job as woodworking machinery engineer and in 3 months the company is giving me an one tonner ute to take home (they havent got it yet) and I have a problem here, is that I have a 7 months old daughter, from what I know that VicRoads does not accept any babies or toddler in front passenger seat - is that correct?

AP

yes AP. I think you are right, No babies or toddlers in the front seat of a car,
And I think thats in all states.

Rik.

ummm i know its not in SA
well when i got pulled over i didnt have a baby in the seat but i did have the seat there

i belive its if a seat is available and if the capsual is rated to go there

Does it have passenger airbag? Because the air bag is not designed to be deployed with a capsule, which i'm pretty sure is the main reason why they're not meant to be in the front.

Please don't think I'm being harsh just reasonable from the business side of it

If a company gives you a car to use it's for business purposes first and foremost and for them it's a taxable rightoff 100% if it's a ute. If it has 4 doors then it's only 50% tax efficient for them.

Not sure about the laws in other states but in WA you must have a rear facing seat and it must be anchored but the designated baby seat anchor point which I'm sure no 2 door ute has.

Sorry and I hope you can come to a easy solution.. let us know how it turns out

wouldn't you talk to your employer about what your options are before you talk to the internet?

If the ute is the only thing they can give you then just use your car. Try to negotiate a bit more than 8 thou - if you can show them the figures they might bend.

As long as your baby is over 6 months she can face forwards (providing she is over 8kg).

Also the law says that they must be in the back seat up to 4 years if the car has 2 rows of seats.

That means that they can sit in the front of a ute provided you use a baby seat!

If the car has a passenger air bag there should be some way of turning it off if a baby seat is fitted (not sure if all cars are able to do this) And the top anchor point can eaisly be added (this is the case for many cars). The rest of the seat would fit the same as if it was in the back.

You could inquire at a dealer too, they should have dealt with the issue before.

RSR 555 wrote: it must be anchored but the designated baby seat anchor point which I'm sure no 2 door ute has.

It is worth inspecting the vehicle for these as some utes do I.E. the VG commodores had these factory I know from experience, Although I've never fitted a capsule to anything else again if you can find a ute that doesn't have a passenger side airbag then your on your way, The commercial vehicles we had in canada had an override switch that you used the keys to operate. They used to have aftermarket people to install them in some utes they may be the people to ask or kidsafe!