Bullbar manufacturer Tuff Bullbars Australia has refuted media claims that five-bar bull bars are illegal in NSW.
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The Mudgee Guardian and other media last week reported on confusion over regulations on bull bars on light vehicles, following a blitz on non-standard bull bars by police in Northern NSW.
“What is of particular concern to TUFF is the suggestion in the article that bullbars are non compliant because they have five posts,” the manufacturer said in a statement posted on their website.
“That is simply not the case. There is nothing whatsoever in the Australian Standard AS4876.1-2002 or the relevant Australian Design Rules which prohibits five post bullbars.
The relevant requirement under AS4876.1-2002 is that the bullbar "generally conforms to the shape, in plan view, front view and side view, of the front of the vehicle to which it is fitted" .
Tuff Bullbars Australia has also pointed out that five-post bullbars do not interfere with airbags and crumple zones, simply by virtue of being five-post bullbars, as claimed by police officers quoted in the article.
“Each of Tuff’s products undergoes testing to ensure compliance with ADR 69 (Full Frontal Impact Occupant Protection) 2006 and Tuff can provide certificates of compliance with independent engineers.”
“The testing undertaken by Tuff establishes that its five-post bullbars do not compromise airbag deployment or remove crumple zones simply by virtue of being ‘five-post bullbars’.”
“Tuff will be doing everything within its power to liaise with NSW Police and the Minister for Roads and Freight to address the matter.”
Tuff’s full response to recent media reports can be found in full on : www.tuffbullbars.com
"Owners will be allowed to drive with their bull bar fitted during the exemption period.
"This exemption is about ensuring vehicle owners, who thought that they were doing the right thing, aren't disadvantaged."
But bull bars that grossly exceeded the current Australian Standards that were called up by NSW Regulations would not be exempt, Mr Gay said.
"This decision flows on from the NSW Vehicle Standards Working Group meeting last week," he said.
"Clear guidelines will be provided to relevant agencies about what bull bars are compliant, what bull bars will be exempt and what are clearly illegal.
"Any owners who are unsure or who have already received a defect notice for a bull bar they believe should be exempt, should then have their vehicle inspected at an RMS Authorised Unregistered Vehicle Inspection Station.
"The relevant agencies have been made aware of the ministerial order and will work to address outstanding infringement notices."
STATE LABOR: BULLBAR EDUCATION CAMPAIGN, BUT NOT OUTRIGHT BAN
State Labor has called for a community education campaign as part of the current review into bullbar regulations saying that rural motorists are inadvertently buying dangerous ones beyond the Australian design standard.
Last week, the State Government was forced to announce a review of the 2003 bullbar regulations by the NSW Vehicle Standards Working Group.
This was after a police blitz in the New England, Barwon and North Coast in late-July – which sparked an adverse community response in those regions. Almost 40 vehicles received notices from local police – facing fines up to $623. (They are given a defect notice and have a week to remove or replace the illegal bullbar.)
State Labor opposed an outright ban on bullbars as they saved lives in country areas. However, State Labor said the State Government had a responsibility to inform motorists of their shared responsibility on our roads.
State Labor also rejected a ban on bullbars in Sydney, Wollongong or Newcastle saying that it would be impossible to enforce and was impractical.
Cars with bullbars driving in the city were mainly country families visiting the city for business or pleasure, or people with country properties.
The 2003 standard was introduced to reduce injuries to pedestrians and other motorists.
Shadow Roads Minister Walt Secord said: “In rural and regional areas, due to kangaroos and the growing number of feral pigs, bullbars are a necessity and are not fashion accessories. They save lives. Therefore, Labor does not support a ban.”
“This is a complex area and motorists need the right information. Oversized bullbars minimise the positive effect of air bags and crumple zones on cars – putting other drivers in danger.
“Furthermore, there are some brands that push animals and pedestrians under the vehicle – which cause vehicles to overturn.
“The overwhelming number of bullbars are legal in NSW – but some of the illegal ones have come from Queensland.
“Legal bullbars do not have sharp edges and slope back towards the vehicle, cushioning the impact. They also must not make the vehicle wider and cannot come up over the bonnet.
“Five poster variety bullbars have been illegal since 2003 under Australian design standards.
“We are completely aware to what would happen if a bullbar hits a pedestrian, but we must also take into account rural families driving home at dusk that hit a kangaroo or feral pig.