NSW Farmers wants the State Government to halt its to defect notices on five post bull bars until there is clarification on requirements to meet Australian Design Standards (ADS).
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NSW Police have been cracking down on bullbars which do not meet standards, issuing on the spot fines of up to $623.
All five-post bullbars fitted to post-2003 vehicles are illegal as they compromise the safety features of many modern vehicles, including delaying deployment of airbags and removing crumple zones.
Western Region highway patrol boss Inspector Jeff Boon told The Land the bullbars are also dangerous to pedestrians, turning a survivable crash into “a into a definite catastrophe for the pedestrian”. .
Drivers can pay up to $6000 to deck their cars or utes in the five-poster bull bars, without realising they’re illegal on NSW roads.
Police are urging any local drivers concerned about their bars to get them checked or face the consequences.
Drivers must make sure the bars don’t make the car wider or come up over the bonnet
NSW Farmers has met with the Roads & Maritime Services (RMS), who have acknowledged that legislation has been in place since 2003 with the requirement all bull bars must meet ADS.
President Fiona Simson said NSW Farmers is taking immediate action and seeking urgent meetings with the Minister for Police and Emergency Services and Minister for Roads and Freight.
“NSW Farmers recognises bull bars are an absolute necessity for the safety and protection of drivers and vehicles on our challenging country roads,” Ms Simson said.
“Getting defect notices for putting the safety of yourself and family first seems highly unreasonable.”
Ms Simson said the RMS were unable to clarify why vehicles have passed pink slip registration since 2003 with fitted five post bars and are now receiving defect notices.
“According to one manufacturer, there is nothing in the Australian Standard or the relevant Australian Design Rules which prohibits five post bullbars.”
However, Inspector Boon said legal bullbars are readily available so it shouldn’t be an issue.
“They can either put a legal bar or the bumper bar back on,” he said.
NSW Farmers have also asked to attend a meeting in Canberra next week to discuss the matter with federal Minister Ian McFarlane for Industry, along with other key industry stakeholders including manufacturer Tuff Bullbars.