seriously risky dad - help!

[doulamamma]

this problem has been going on for a while so i thought i might ask you wise people for some advice.
dh drives a 1.5tonne truck - if you know the Ford Transit vans - one of those high top and with a front row seat only.
small problem is dh is 2 (almost 3) and loves the truck.
Massively frustrating BIG problem is dh seems there is no problem with letting a 2yr old drive in the middle seat of the front of the truck.
i have spoken to him and said it is not safe -- there are enough things in this world we have no control of ..etc.. and that here we have a safety issue that needs to addressed. bla bla.. he doesn't seem to agree and says its perfectly safe.
i put my foot down a few weeks ago and said no truck to my ds (maybe when he's 16) and after a few yells and screams he accepted it and i made dh take him in my car whenever he needed to. Lately dh has decided, yet again, that its not an issue and there is no problem with taking ds in the truck.
HELP!! its a major problem - of course you all realise this.. but i dont know how to get this through his head..(this is only one of the many problems that arise due to dh's lack of parental responsibility) but this is bothering me profusedly at the moment..and endangering my child's life.
Thanks in advance

[Snowy Love]

Surely its not legal - if you can't get him concerned for your son's safety maybe you can get him concerned about the fines he could incur?

Maybe if he says he drives safely say yes, but not everyone else drives safely - DS needs to be properly restrained, in the back seat of a car in case of idiots?

Dunno its a tough one.:hugs: Good Luck

[fionas]

OK, it sounds like logic is not working here. So bring out the big guns ... tears! Tell DH how worried and upset you are and then start crying.

My DH sometimes just won't listen to rational thinking and I'm not a very emotional person and don't like people to see me upset on the rare occasions that I am. But gee, he turns into a different person when I let down my guard and start talking about my feelings rather than what's right and wrong.

Sorry if that sounds manipulative but in this situation I think it's warranted.

[Lulu]

If crying doesn't work (which it probably will), I'd threaten actual bodily harm.

No really,its very serious. This is not a matter of opinion.

[Jesswith6]

Whilst I don't condone it, I have at one stage installed a child seat in a ute and had a child in it....
I found this in the Vicroads site.

When can children sit in the front seat?

While it is legal it is not safe nor is it recommended. The back seat offers far greater protection in a crash than the front seat so it is recommended that you fill the back seat first.
If children are big enough to use a lap/sash seat belt, use the back seat first.
If in a van/utility, use a properly constructed seat with a child restraint if appropriate, or seat belt.


Can a restraint go in the front seat of van or utility?

It is legal to fit a child restraint in the front of a utility or van provided there is a seat belt and a child restraint anchorage point available.
Restraint fitting stations can install a variety of devices that can ensure the safe operation of restraints in these sorts of vehicles.
If there is a passenger airbag in the seating position occupied by a child using a car seat, it is recommended that the seat be moved as far back as possible while still allowing correct seat belt fit.
If there is a passenger airbag in the seating position occupied by the child, you must not use a rearward facing infant restraint.

[Astrid]

Was about to post what Jess did from the Vic Roads site, not an ideal situation, but if he is going to continue then at least get a proper restraint installed.