Thread: tinted sunnies and bikes - Safety-

Originally Posted by CraigE

That aside sunglasses do not need to meet any Australian Standards and specs for general use or sale, generally the standards relate to impact. They only have to meet these for use as safety or protective glasses. Generally the orange and yellow ones are designed for night use to reduce glare while working. They are not designed for general use and should not be worn while driving.

Actually they do have to meet a standard as seen below

A Standard for Sunglasses
All sunglasses sold in Australia must be tested and labelled according to the Australian/New Zealand standard AS/NZS 1067:2003 Sunglasses and Fashion Spectacles. This mandatory standard sets limits on the allowed transmittances of fashion spectacles and sunglasses.

Sunglasses meeting the standard are available in adults and children’s sizes. Wearing sunglasses that meet the standard’s requirements for effective sunglasses ensures your eyes have adequate protection against UVR damage.

The standard defines five categories of lenses:

Lens category Description Additional markings
0 Fashion spectacles - not sunglasses very low sunglare reduction - some UV protection NONE
1 Fashion spectacles - not sunglasses limited sunglare reduction - some UV protection NOT SUITABLE FOR DRIVING AT NIGHT
2 Sunglasses - medium sunglare reduction and good UV protection NONE
3 Sunglasses - high sunglare reduction and good UV protection NONE
4 Special purpose sunglasses – very high sunglare reduction and good UV protection MUST NOT BE USED WHEN DRIVING


Sunglasses that comply with the requirements of AS/NZS 1067 shall be labelled to state this compliance. Sunglass lenses in lens category 4 must be marked with the prescribed symbol and the warning "MUST NOT BE USED WHEN DRIVING".

In addition to the AS/NZS 1067:2003 label several other markings may be found on sunglasses. Sunglasses labelled “EPF 10” (Eye Protection Factor rating 10) actually exceed the requirements of AS/NZS 1067. Sunglasses may also be labelled “Absorbs 100% UVR”.

Sunglasses that are to be worn while driving must comply with the colouration limits of AS/NZS 1067. Colours, in particular traffic signals, will still be recognisable when viewed through the lenses.

Guidelines for purchasing sunglasses
Check that the glasses are either sunglasses or special purpose sunglasses and not fashion spectacles.
Check that the sunglasses carry a label that indicates they comply with or exceed the requirements of AS/NZS 1067:2003 or are rated EPF 10.
If the glasses are to be used while driving, then check that colours are easily recognized when viewed through the lenses.
If you purchase sunglasses or fashion spectacles on the internet they should still comply with AS/NZS 1067. There should be clear and legible labelling attached with the identity of the manufacturer or supplier, the lens category number, description and additional markings if applicable. The label should also refer to the AS/NZS 1067.

Originally Posted by Firefish

Same here - as hard as I look at these indicators I can't see them flash until the vehicle moves to a certain angle as it comes around the round-about. Got to the stage where I just plan to give way regardless, as I can't be sure whether the indicator is on or not. Damned dangerous if you ask me.

Thats it. I think with roundabouts that indicators are irrelevant anyway if people are using them properly and giving way as required. I'd guess there would be more to that bike being knocked off than just not seeing the indicators.

Originally Posted by mattyg

Newish Volkswagen golfs with circular tail lights with smaller circular indicators inside the tail lights. When braking, the lights are so bright as to almost obscure the indicators completely.

Yep. I'm surprised they were passed. I remember the Ford Falcons of the early Sixties - they had a small blinker in the middle of the taillight and which was impossible to see when the brakes were applied.

Don't hold your breath regarding 'sensible' application of the ADRs... too much money and industrial prestige at stake.
I also find the clear-colour lenses and complex reflections - both in the fitting and surrounds - to be potentially lethal under daylight conditions, and often a distraction at night & wet weather.

Put it bluntly, IMHO, too many stylists/designers are totally incompetant from an Engineering perspective, appearances and fashion preferred over efficient optics.

Would be interesting to see if any insurance companies have noticed the risk these 'fashion' trends are posing.

I doubt it. Their greed outweighs competant, sound, business-practices...

Originally Posted by Slunnie

Thats it. I think with roundabouts that indicators are irrelevant anyway if people are using them properly and giving way as required. I'd guess there would be more to that bike being knocked off than just not seeing the indicators.

I agree that there was probably other factors involved, but I don't agree that indicators are irrelevant on roundabouts. Maybe it's just me, but I find that a huge number of people in Australia misuse/have no idea how to use a roundabout properly, sitting in the wrong lane all the way round, indicating out of lanes and into exits, etc. It's a bloody nightmare at times.....

Originally Posted by Slunnie

Thats it. I think with roundabouts that indicators are irrelevant anyway if people are using them properly and giving way as required. I'd guess there would be more to that bike being knocked off than just not seeing the indicators.

not in this case both "vehicles" appeared to be going straight through because the rider hadnt seen the right turn indicator on on the car he proceeded through on the assumption that the car was going straight ahead, it wasnt it was planning on turning across the path of the rider, Id seen the indicator so piled on brakes, the car had full right of way it was in the round about, Taking a very straight line and then braked and turned hard if i hadnt seen the indicator from the line and initial speed of the vehicle as it entered the round about I would have assumed it was going straight on as well and been right along side the other rider. The other rider was passing me on my right hand side

When I ride on the road, I give way to everybody and assume everyone is trying to kill me. Rather be cautious in this sort of situation than than under the front wheel of a Corolla. Right of way or momentary lapse of concentration makes no difference once it all goes wrong.

Hope the rider is OK though.

Edit: Actually I drive my Smart like a bike (as everyone is trying to kill me or is laughing so hard they lose control) and still assume nothing even in the D3.

yeah, got lucky as the speed were relatively low he sort of did the movie roll up and over the bonnet, bike was rollable after the front rim was kicked straight against the kerbing but we had to drop the front brakes off, didnt even blow the tyre.