Bullbars, LED's & ADR's

[Basil135]

Picked up some LED indicator & clearance lights for the ARB bullbar on my D4 today.

Got chatting with the guy, and we pulled them out of the box to have a closer look. The LED's are actually angled so that when they are put into the bar, they point directly ahead.

Evidently, this is due to ADR's stating that the light must be directly ahead, or something similar. The guy at ARB that I was speaking to then mentioned that "other" brands that supply LED's for their bars that are not angled correctly, quite probably do not meet ADR's.

If this is correct, then people who have LED's in their bars that are not angled to point directly ahead, may actually be in contravention of the ADR's.

He also said that this is part of the reason it has taken so long for ARB to offer a LED option.

[Roverlord off road spares]

With the lights I've seen fitted on some vehicles like bull lights that sit on top of the bar and over the line of sight on the bonnet and led light bars used on public roads at night, I don't think ADRs are being policed.
The cops can't even stop those people illegally using those bumper bar built in fog lights.Either blind eye or couldn't be bothered. No policing, so no one will get caught until there is a serious crash investigation involved.

[UncleHo]

Make one wonder just how many "single vehicle" accidents and fatalities are caused by mis-aligned head/fog/driving lights,as over the years I have encountered some near lethal oncoming traffic,more noticeable now that you can purchase +120% headlight globes in white and ice blue.

[Tombie]

More a case if people render vehicle non-ADR compliant that's one thing.

It's a fair expectation that a reputable manufacturer comply with ALL applicable ADRs...

I wonder just how some of the gear out there really goes!

Great thing about these LEDs.. No more relay loom required as per the incandescent setup.

[drivesafe]

Hi Basil and first off, ARDs are not legally binding unless the state you are in has adopted that particular ADR.

So start by finding out what the regs are in your state.

As Roverloard posted, you would be pretty unlucky to come up against a police officer who actually knew the regs anyway.

[ramblingboy42]

I don't know what happens now , but when I lived in NSW your vehicle had to have an annual rego inspection done by an 'authorised' inspection station.

Part of that inspection involved placing your vehicle in front of a screen with a grid painted on it and you turned on your lights and they had to focus on the correct part of the grid.

They would be adjusted if necessary and when you took your vehicle thru the rego station it was checked again.

I don't know if this done anywhere anymore and perhaps it would be a good idea if it was.

[KarlB]

The significant issue is not whether Mr Policeman picks you up for driving down the road in a non-compliant vehicle. It is if you are in a serious motor vehicle accident, particularly one that is subject to a coronial enquiry. Remember that if you are using lights that do not meet your State jurisdiction's standards, and your are aware of this, then your are knowingly driving an unroadworthy vehicle. Also, you will invariably find that your insurance requires you to maintain the vehicle in a roadworthy condition. Failure to do so would likely render the policy void. Is the risk worth the gain? And good luck if you think it is. I hope I never have a serious collision with you!

Cheers
KarlB
:)

[nugge t]

I suspect this will become the next "fishing rod holder" revenue raiser. With so many LED bars mounted on top of bulbar centre tubes, I reckon it is just a matter of time, especially if one becomes involves in an accident with a pedestrian.

[ATH]

No driver in WA seems to worry about ADRs or any other reg as the cops only police mostly minor speeding offences. They have the occasional blitz on other offences but nothing lasts as it's too much like work.
Most offences are described as "discretionary" and it's up to the cop as to whether he can be bothered getting out of his car and issuing a ticket.
Even their in car computer number plate recognition system has had to be turned off as it's been totally over whelmed as there's so many vehicles now unregistered due to the Govs stupid efforts to save money by not issuing rego stickers.
The money they apparently save is a mere pittance compared to what they waste every hour of the day.
Go ahead and stick your LEDs or other dazzlers where you like.....I rarely drive at night so couldn't care less.:p
AlanH.

[nugge t]

In Qld , Road Transport also enforce the ADR's and have regular road stops around our industrial area. They have also been known to go "hunting" 4WD's

[YOLO110]

No driver in WA seems to worry about ADRs or any other reg as the cops only police mostly minor speeding offences. They have the occasional blitz on other offences but nothing lasts as it's too much like work.
Most offences are described as "discretionary" and it's up to the cop as to whether he can be bothered getting out of his car and issuing a ticket.
Even their in car computer number plate recognition system has had to be turned off as it's been totally over whelmed as there's so many vehicles now unregistered due to the Govs stupid efforts to save money by not issuing rego stickers.
The money they apparently save is a mere pittance compared to what they waste every hour of the day.
Go ahead and stick your LEDs or other dazzlers where you like.....I rarely drive at night so couldn't care less.:p
AlanH.

I SO wish the NSW Police were like this...

... they only seem to Police ONE rule... SPEEDING! Speed Kills! (NO, incompetent drivers kill!!!)

I have lost count of how many tailgaters I watch here... in my rear view mirror and all around me... and how many front to rear pranged vehicles I see on the back of recovery vehicles. Yet I have never seen or heard of ONE motorist pulled over and fined for tailgating!!!

Speed policing... it's just revenue raising gone mad!!!

Turn the radar on, go to sleep, when it beeps, pull the bloke over. Congratulations on a job well done officer! :p

[loanrangie]

In Victoria LED light bars are now legal, they are required to either be fitted in pairs or in only one fitted it must centrally located.

This exert taken from the Vicroads website.

LED light bars are becoming an increasingly common aftermarket accessory fitment and are often mounted vehicle roofs or bull bars.
LED light bars are fitted to the front of vehicles to better illuminate the road in front of the vehicle. They act as a supplement to the vehicle's main beam (high beam) lamps.
Under the requirements of Australia Design Rule (ADR) 13/00, additional lamps must be fitted in pairs in accordance with the requirements for driving lamps.
However, the Commonwealth has commenced issuing approvals for the certification of new vehicles fitted with LED light bars that are not fitted in pairs in order to respond to this new technology.
In addition, an amendment to Australian Design Rule 13/00 is expected to be published in January 2015 which will formally clarify these arrangements.
Certain constraints remain on the fitment of LED light bars. These include that the LED light bars must be fitted symmetrically to the vehicle and must not exceed a total of four lamps.
As Victoria's in-service vehicle standards mirror the Australian Design Rule requirements this decision means that LED light bars can be fitted to vehicles in Victoria. Constraints remain on the fitment of LED light bars, so any LED light bar that is fitted must be installed in alignment with the following requirements:


The lamps should, as far as is possible, be installed symmetrically in pairs to the front of the vehicle.
If lamps are not fitted as pairs (e.g. one, three etc), they must be fitted to the front of the vehicle, symmetrically about the centre.
A maximum of four driving lamps (including LED light bars) can be fitted to a vehicle in addition to the vehicle's main beam headlamps.
The lamp/s must be installed in a way that the light produced does not cause the driver of the vehicle discomfort either directly or by reflection.
The lamp/s must only come on when the main-beam (high beam) headlamps are used, and must automatically turn off when the main-beam headlamps are turned off.
The lamps must not obstruct the driver's view of the road.

[Roverlord off road spares]

The lamps must not obstruct the driver's view of the road.


Soi thisw is where they would get most drivers as they seem to have their lights mounted ontop of the bull bar, a lot stick up so looking from the Drivers seat they can be seen so they are obstructing the drivers field of veiw. Owners will dispute this though. But if they can be seen from the drivers seat then they need to be lower.

[Roverlord off road spares]

The lamps must not obstruct the driver's view of the road.


So this is where they would get most drivers as they seem to have their lights mounted on top of the bull bar, a lot stick up so looking from the Drivers seat they can be seen so they are obstructing the drivers field of view. Owners will dispute this though. But if they can be seen from the drivers seat then they need to be lower.
If they cops want to be pedantic then an aerial attached to a bullbar is obstructing the driver's view.

I personally think time can be better spent chasing the real criminals. Those car drivers with stuff hanging from their mirrors. Like Chineses lanterns, fluffy dice, stuffed toys, swamii photos, idols, tissue boxes on dash, nodding dogs on dash, action hero figurines all these are a distraction to the clear view of the driver's vision. Oh forgot GPSs mounted high in the centre of the windscreen. They are supposed to be mounted low on the drivers side corner:D

[Tombie]

No, the 11mtr test applies.....

[Roverlord off road spares]

No, the 11mtr test applies.....
please explain
is it view 11 mt ahead?

[Tombie]

please explain
is it view 11 mt ahead?


There is a test, seat back full, as low as it can go...

Now this is from memory.

700mm up vertically from the base cushion/seat back meet.
230mm forward of that vertical line.

If with your eyes there you can't see a spot 11mtrs in front of the vehicle..... Fail
If you can.... Pass :)

[Jeff]

Oh forgot GPSs mounted high in the centre of the windscreen. They are supposed to be mounted low on the drivers side corner:D

That's the first time I have heard that. If I mounted mine on the driver's side corner I would have lost more than ten of them out the window, as I have had many suction cup failures. Mine is mounted low in the centre, and has fallen on the floor many times. Remember before GPS when you would drive with a street directory on your lap, much safer? Naa.

Jeff

:rocket:

[Jeff]

So this is where they would get most drivers as they seem to have their lights mounted on top of the bull bar, a lot stick up so looking from the Drivers seat they can be seen so they are obstructing the drivers field of view. Owners will dispute this though. But if they can be seen from the drivers seat then they need to be lower.
If they cops want to be pedantic then an aerial attached to a bullbar is obstructing the driver's view.

My bullbar can be seen from the driver's seat, so should I cut it and lower the top of it? Just because you can see it doesn't mean it is obstructing your vision.

Jeff

:rocket:

[jonesfam]

Have to get rid of my bonnet, I can see it from the drivers seat.

[Disco Muppet]

How about you read what Tombie said ;)
It's not if you can 'see it from the drivers seat'.
IF what you have on your vehicle obstructs your vision of a spot 11m in front of the car from the prescribed point above the seat, it's illegal.
If not, it's perfectly legal.
Simple.

[Jeff]

I wrote a long post then re read the others and deleted it.

Jeff

:rocket:

[YOLO110]

I wrote a long post then re read the others and deleted it.

Jeff

:rocket:

Me too!!!

However, what is the consensus about fitting a BullBar that does not have an ADR 'sticker'/approval? My insurance company, Shannons, says they will not cover a claim in that circumstance...???

Confused about this TBH... :confused:

[Tombie]

Me too!!!



However, what is the consensus about fitting a BullBar that does not have an ADR 'sticker'/approval? My insurance company, Shannons, says they will not cover a claim in that circumstance...???



Confused about this TBH... :confused:


All bar work must comply with ADRs.

[V8Ian]

All bar work must comply with ADRs.
Only bar work manufactured after adoption of ADRs needs to comply.

[Tombie]

Only bar work manufactured after adoption of ADRs needs to comply.


Ah yes, I was working on the assumption of a newer vehicle.

[KarlB]

Only bar work manufactured after adoption of ADRs needs to comply.

I would have thought that the date of manufacture of the vehicle that the bar work is proposed to be fitted that is also important.

[loanrangie]

I would have thought that the date of manufacture of the vehicle that the bar work is proposed to be fitted that is also important.

And there is the grey area.