Thread: Bull bar blitz: rural drivers fined

Just back on the lights on bars thing, I understood there was a rule that the driving lights could not be fitted so they were above the headlights of a vehicle, but I could be wrong. That would make the LED bars on roof racks illegal, of course.

On the bullbars thing, my Smartbar deforms to absorb the strike and then over a day bends back into position. Very clever thing and I'm surprised more are not in use privately.
Only drawback of mine is you can't fit a winch to it, although to others you can (such as the Hilux Smartbar).

Their vid of comparison bulbar testing is interesting to watch. Steel and aluminium bars don't come off looking good.
http://www.smartbar.com.au/Interacti...son-Test-video

This thread seems to have drifted onto (roof mounted) lights.

Most of the posts are incorrect.

ADRs / NCOP / Legislation do not have any restrictions on the height of spotlights or any prohibition of roof mounting, so long as it can be considered the "front" of the vehicle.

The above standards instruction provides guidance on LED light bar use, suggesting the use of paired LED bars, or installing a "Blanking Plate" for a large centrally mounted LED light bar to be used as an additional "driving light".

As the LED light bar is only to be used as a driving light (not for low / dipped beam use), then it only needs to comply with requirements in ADR 13/00 and NOT ADR 46/00.
(ADR 13/00 - Installation of Lighting and Light-signalling Devices on other than L-Group Vehicles Vehicle Standard (Australian Design Rule 13/00 - Installation of Lighting and Light Signalling Devices on other than L-Group Vehicles) 2005)
(ADR 46/00 - Headlamps Vehicle Standard (Australian Design Rule 46/00 - Headlamps) 2006)

ADR 13/00 "Additional Lamps" states:

6.1.5. In addition to the main beam headlamps in paragraph 6.1 of Appendix A, a further two or four driving lamps may be installed as long as they comply with clause 7.3 of this standard.


7.3. DRIVING LAMPS
7.3.1. Presence: Optional on motor vehicles. Prohibited on trailers.
7.3.2. Number:
7.3.2.1. Two or four.
7.3.2.2. To be used in conjunction with headlamps.
7.3.3. Arrangement: No individual specifications
7.3.4. Position:
7.3.4.1. In width: no individual specifications.
7.3.4.2. In height: no individual specifications.
7.3.4.3. In length: at the front of the vehicle and fitted in such a way that the light emitted does not cause discomfort to the driver either directly or indirectly through the rear-view mirrors and/or other reflecting surfaces of the vehicle.
7.3.5. Geometric visibility: No individual specifications.
7.3.6. Orientation: Towards the front.
7.3.7. Electrical connections: The driving lamps must be able to be lighted only when the main-beam headlamps switch is in the “lamps on” position.
7.3.8. Tell tale: No requirement.
7.3.9. Others: The aggregate maximum intensity of the main-beam headlamps as specified in paragraph 6.1.9.1 of Appendix A, can be exceeded with the fitment and illumination of driving lamps. Driving lamps do not have to comply with ADR 46/...


ADR 13/00 also allows the use of "Alternative Standards", referring to the European UNECE Regulation No. 48, and actually has this listed as Annex A to ADR 13/00.

Now that LEDs are available, it could be argued they are cabin/marker lights, which are perfectly legal if below 7W per light (most LED light bars are 3-5W per individual light). However the 120mm centre spacing is an issue...

1.94 External cabin lights

(1) A light motor vehicle fitted with front clearance lights may also have additional forward-facing lights on or above the roof of its cabin.

(2) The additional forward-facing lights must be spaced evenly between the front clearance lights, with their centres at least 120mm apart.

(3) When on, an additional forward-facing light must—

(a) show a yellow or white light; and

(b) not use over 7W.

ROAD TRANSPORT (VEHICLE REGISTRATION) REGULATION 2000 - SCHEDULE 1

Originally Posted by digger

Roof mounted lights are a magnet for a defect and a fine...

When you get a chance, could you check that please. The SA police practice/rule. It may have been updated

With the older ADR's, I reckon that statement is true. With newer vehicles, the third edition ADR's apply and, according to them, it's ok to have roof mounted driving lights.

I believe the same thing applied to the daytime running lights that nowdays are usually mounted low on the bumper.

It must be so difficult for the police on the street, at the moment, to know which ADR's apply to which cars. There are so many changes that are applied from so many different dates.

It's interesting that I saw a news report on Sydney Channel 7 a few weeks ago where a reporter was accompanying police.

They pulled over a Hilux ostensibly for the roof lights, then defected him on all the usual Hilux stuff like excessive lift etc.
So the cops in NSW must have some legislative reason to do that, or do they?
Regards Philip A

Originally Posted by digger

and disconnecting them doesnt work as ADRs state "all lights fitted to a vehicle must operate."
(so if they are there and not working, still a defect and the offence is having them installed there not necessarily using them..)

Digger. Although not a lawyer I would interpret the above as all lights fitted as standard equipment must work.

I really can't see how my aftermarket driving lights which were on my car for about three months before I got around to wiring them up, would have been illegal for this time.

Originally Posted by PhilipA

It's interesting that I saw a news report on Sydney Channel 7 a few weeks ago where a reporter was accompanying police.

They pulled over a Hilux ostensibly for the roof lights, then defected him on all the usual Hilux stuff like excessive lift etc.
So the cops in NSW must have some legislative reason to do that, or do they?
Regards Philip A

I saw that too but he also had a row of lights on the front bar so too many lights irrespective where they were mounted.

Here's another 'smart' person's bullbar ('smart' being used very loosely).

NSW Farmers calls for bullbar defects to be repealed | Moree Champion

Originally Posted by Cracka

Here's another 'smart' person's bullbar ('smart' being used very loosely).

NSW Farmers calls for bullbar defects to be repealed | Moree Champion

whats wrong with them?