Thread: New BULL BAR laws in SA - vehicles after 1-7-13

Originally Posted by London Boy

Either that or just pay attention. Look first and then go, kind of thing?

And if a motorist abuses a pedestrian and, say, that pedestrian is me, I tend to start asserting my rights. Like the one that says motorists must ALWAYS give way to pedestrians...

Good point, and I do look but sometimes you just don't see the lights on... and from the front unless there are daytime running lights...... but lets not start on that one because I dont agree with that either.

BRING BACK OLD SCHOOL!

But yes... those pesky bullbar rules.....

Originally Posted by amtravic1

Totally agree. I drive around 800 kms a week mostly around Melbourne inner suburbs. Now there is talk of some areas being 30 kmh zones just so pedestrians are safer. For f sake, what is going on. Laws are being made to cater for the most stupid in our society, not the average person with half a brain. And dont even get me started on cyclists who think they are a pedestrian when it suits them and other times have more rights on the roads than paying road users.

I agree on the speed limits. If them make them any lower it'll be quicker to just ride your bike; although I'll probably get booked for speeding on that too.

You have to remember that most bike riders (well the good ones in my experience) are car owning rego paying people just like yourself, they just choose to leave the car at home and get some exercise going to work/shops/friends house/picnic. I used to ride to work everyday (and still paid 2 regos), it's a great way to get a little exercise while your commuting and also lets you wind down after a long day. Unfortunately my bike spends far too much time in the shed now because I work in the next town

In saying that though I'm normally the first to get ****ed off with bike riders who are doing the wrong thing!! I hate it. Why? Because it makes other drivers angry and dislike all riders, that in turn makes it dangerous for me to ride because everyone thinks I'm going to do something stupid/wrong. They get impatient with me even though I can ride through the city as fast as they can drive it, they also start cutting me off which as you would know is dangerous to me, I've nearly had a few accidents because someone has done this.

Originally Posted by Eevo

I'm confused.

Why???
And doesn't apply to existing cars/
Roo bars?

I'm confused most days... Comes with old age!

As for the Bull/Roo bars, when new rules come out they are usually applied to vehicles built from that date and onwards... prob due to the complete logistical nightmare of policing the removal of non compliant bars on older vehicles (especially 20 yr old Cruisers/Rovers in the Mallee!!)... Imagine the conversation with the local cop when he tries to tell 63 yr old George that the Roo Bar he's had on his Series 2 from new does not comply... Said vehicle prob has not seen a city for 20 yrs and not seen the pits since new!

Can anyone enlighten me on what "Clause 3.2" says?

Quote:

All bull bars should meet the design requirements of the Australian Standard AS 4876.1 2002 motor vehicle frontal protection systems - road user protection (except clause 3.2). It is a requirement of South Australian legislation that all cars manufactured after 1 July 2013 must be compliant to this Standard.



Erich

RAAs take on it.

Bull Bars

The bull bar's exact origin is sketchy, but they are believed to have been born in the bush, where they were designed to protect vehicles from collisions with animals on isolated roads. In a collision, the bar protects the front of the vehicle (especially the cooling system), reducing the chances of the driver being left stranded with a damaged vehicle in a remote location.

Bull bars are popular, and can be essential equipment in the bush where the risk of hitting an animal is high (and hitting a pedestrian is less). However, with many of these vehicles driven mainly on metropolitan streets, the bull bar has moved from an essential piece of vehicle protection, to a danger to other road users in the suburban environment.

A bull bar poses a risk on two levels. Firstly to traditionally vulnerable road users such as cyclists, pedestrians and motorcyclists. In addition, bull bars also pose a threat to other vehicles, in particular those that are smaller than the vehicle sporting the bull bar.

The new Bull Bar standard (Australian/New Zealand Standard AS/NZS 4876) describes a range of requirements for bull bar design, installation and performance. Many bull bars constructed in recent times would possibly already comply with many of the principles the standard embraces. The new standard is not designed to ban all bull bars or force their removal. Rather, it will compel all motorists to ensure their vehicle's bull bars comply. While the new standard applies to new bars sold, traffic authorities are expected to take parts of it onboard to assess and moderate dangerous pre-existing bull bars - which could result in some owners being asked to modify the bar, or remove it altogether.

New Laws (introduced June 2013)

In June 2013 the Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure advised that new Standards to comply with the Road Traffic Act 1961 are a requirement for Vehicle Frontal Protection Systems (VFPS) more commonly known as Bull Bars.

Bull Bars fitted to vehicles with a GVM of less than 3.5 tonnes and manufactured on or after 1 July 2013 must conform to AS 4876.1-2002 (except clause 3.2).

Road Traffic (Vehicle Standards) Rule 30A is in breach if a non-compliant VFPS has been fitted to a vehicle manufactured on or after 1 July 2013. Sections 117, 118 and 145 cover non-compliance and vehicle defect situations where a minimum expiation of $373 could apply.


Key features for a satisfactory bull bar that provides protection to the vehicle bodywork, but does not unreasonably increase the risk of injury to other road users, include:

•The bull bar shape would be similar to the frontal shape and slope of the vehicle to which it is fitted. Sloping backwards from the bumper to the top is most desirable.

•The bull bar must be no wider than the vehicle body.

•Attachment to the vehicle must be secure enough to achieve the purpose of protecting the vehicle. All supports should be free of hazardous sharp edges or exposed projections.

•Other than the main replacement bumper, entirely tubular construction is preferred. Tube should be at least 40mm outside diameter and 50mm or larger is preferred. All exposed sections of the bull bar and fittings must be made from large diameter tubing, be deburred and should be designed to reduce the risk of injury to any person who may come into contact with the bull bar. All edges must be generously rounded, with no radius less than five mm. All tube ends are to be sealed.

•All brackets for lights, antennae, fishing rod holders and so on must be behind the bull bar. They must not protrude beyond the front face or above the bull bar. Items, such as winches, must be mounted behind the bar and covered to protect pedestrians from sharp edges or projections.

While many people believe that bull bars provide protection to occupants in the event of a crash, they can actually risk injury if fitted to vehicles with airbags. Fitting a bull bar changes the front stiffness of the vehicle which may cause a different signal to go to the airbag control computer and make the airbag deploy later than when needed.

A nudge bar (which is much smaller than a bull bar but still protects your vehicle's cooling system) is an excellent alternative to a bull bar for city and suburban use, where the risk of colliding with a large animal is much less.

If you're sure you definitely need a bull bar, contact the vehicle manufacturer or a professional installer, who can advise you of the best bar to suit your needs.

If they want to protect these precious pedestrians why don't we just go back to having someone walk in front of our cars holding a red flag. It is heading this way.

eventually it wont be just 4wd's.

http://www.ssaa.org.au/capital-news/...-bull-bars.pdf

proposed implementation dates...

4wd, then sedans etc....


The reason SA took so long to introduce this is that originally there were elements in the govt that wanted a blanket ban on bullbars from metro areas!!

This would mean that if I drove in from ANDAMOOKA to ADELAIDE I would have to stop somewhere and just pop off my bullbar, fit some sort of bumper bar and continue... there was talk of it creating employment at these fitting station!!!

The arguement against this included the fact that all out of the metro area travelling on highways etc should haved to have bull bars for safety etc but was a one way proposal! It became bogged down and silly before settling back to where it should have been easy.. Unfortunately we have had a larger number of unrealistic pollies in our parliament that are more interested in point scoring than actually safe and efficient governance!!.


I cannot so far find access to 3.2.... interesting considering how can you comply without being able to see it??

hi Nig don't you want us back at Melrose LOL

Hope you are recovered