Thread: Defect Notice for Roof Rack Lights

I will get the link later when I get home.

Originally Posted by DiscoMick

Isnt mounting a light bar on the top of a bullbar a safety issue for pedestrian impacts, like fishing rod holders?

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Ofcourse it is a safety issue, but maybe not illegal for all accessories. As said fishing rod holders must be removed or turned when not in use. Honestly though I dont think having fishing rods in them make them much safer for the pedestrian.
Most bullbars come with aerial mounts and it is not illegal to fit them or have bracket bolt on types fitted. Put a big Codan HF aerial on without any probs and that would certainly hurt a pedestrian. It is also not illegal to fit lights above the bar, it depends on the height of the bar in relation to the bonnet line. There are many half bars, light bars, winch bars that have accessories fitted with no bar above them.
Look at the front of any Country Police car, Fire appliance or ambulance, plenty of hazards hanging of their bull bars and then some.

Originally Posted by CraigE

Look at the front of any Country Police car, Fire appliance or ambulance, plenty of hazards hanging of their bull bars and then some.

Ah, but you will find hidden away in the legislation there is a rule that would say emergency services vehicles will be able to have such accessories.

Yep and the police are still confused over here what is legal and what is not.
The pics you show are correct for WA and was the press release, but there is a more detailed notice somewhere, the one on the bar sits above the bonnet line, but is not prescriptive if in line with the bonnet is legal or on top of a bar full stop. Plenty of trucks, 4x4s and cars running around her with them on the top bar. As said I have had mine on for well over 10 years and never been questioned about them when pulled up.
So it is not that clear over here.
Somewhere in there it does mention bonnet line and view of driver.
Yet a wind deflector on the bonnet is fine and a pedestrian hitting that and braking it will cut them up.
What about nudge bars that have lights on top or number plate bars? I think that is where the bonnet line comes from.
What about all the 4x4 with Mack bulldogs fitted?
Generally most coppers over here dont want to enforce it or get involved.
Has been illegal for roll bar or roof lights in WA for years but have never seen it enforced.
Personally I dont think a light bar on top of a bull bar is any worse than the bar itself.
Then all forward facing work lights are prohibited. Lots of vehicles with forward facing work lights including the police, so go figure.
Clear as mud really.

Originally Posted by Tombie

WA is simple

Originally Posted by Mick_Marsh

Ah, but you will find hidden away in the legislation there is a rule that would say emergency services vehicles will be able to have such accessories.

Yeah there is but wasnt going to mention that. So many exemptions.

Years ago I was chatted by a couple of coppers in Kalgoorlie for having forward facing spot lights on the roof of a work Prado. It had a roof bar towards the rear of the vehicle, which had the usual minesite repeat indicators / tail / brake lights, the obligatory orange flashing beacon in the centre, and two small hella driving lights facing forward - which were correctly wired with regard to high beam and independent switching.

As the coppers were telling me that I could be defected for these lights, a (well known locally) dark green Falcon ute with a row of four or five large Hella driving lights (Rallye 4,000 or similar) mounted across its roll bar above the roof line drove past. I advised the two coppers (politely) that if they were to defect my vehicle, I would be raising with the appropriate authorities that this green Falcon ute seemed to be immune to Police attention.

The green Falcon belonged to and was driven by their sergeant ............... I was sent on my way with no action taken.

The QLD summary I read DIDN"T say you could not mount lights on top of a Bull Bar.
It said driving/spotlights are not to be in the drivers line of sight.

Admittedly it would be pretty difficult to mount them on a Bull Bar without the driver being able to see them.

Many years ago while living in Karumba I had a Datsun (that tells you how long ago) 720 4WD dual cab. I had mounted 2 monstrous spotties on top of the Bull Bar. At a party one day (there was a lot of parties in Karumba) the local Police Sargent, who I knew well, said "Those lights are illegal mounted up there you know?"
I asked him if he wanted me to move them.
"Narr, only a Dickhead would book you but if you do get booked I've told you to move them."

Drove all over QLD in that thing, never did get booked, not even for the chook wire light protectors.

Just an aside, that 2.2 diesel was so slow I really didn't need the lights anyway.

Jonesfam

Line of sight refers to the testing procedure for drivers LOS vision. Not if you can see them from the seat...

However, changing the above bar profile on the front of the vehicle is considered an issue as for pedestrian impacts.. just like protruding fairleads, Rod holders, recovery hooks etc.