Thread: Defect Notice for Roof Rack Lights

This link for light bars (so should also apply to other lights) clears things up for all juridications EXCEPT for NSW which people are having trouble working out.

Making sense of light bar laws in each state – The Lap Year

Making sense of light bar laws in each state

September 2, 2017 admin 4x4, lighting
Having owned a 4×4 for a while now I have seen the popularity of light bars increase dramatically. I have also seen the laws really struggle to keep up. A few years ago it was actually ridiculous, the law still stated that all lights had to be mounted in pairs… Enthusiasts were putting black tape down the centre of their bars to ensure they looked like two lights and remained legal. Thankfully the laws have been reassessed since. You’d think that would mean consistent Australia wide laws on light bars, but no, unfortunately there are still some slight variances. We’ve pulled together a summary below based on the information available to us online. It should be noted that this is our interpretation of the rules and it would be wise to check the documentation we’ve linked to in each state before deeming the position you mount your LED bar legal.
Australia Wide:

• The light/s must only come on when the main-beam (high beam) headlights are used, and must automatically turn off when the main-beam headlights are turned off.
• The driving lights must be fitted with an isolator switch to allow high beam to be switched on without the driving lights also being switched on.
• Light bars can not be mounted on top of the bull bar.

Vic (Positions 1 is OK but 2 and 3 are open to interpretation based on the first line of the LED light bar section)
WA (Positions 1, 2 and 3 are OK)
SA (Positions 1, 2 and 3 are OK)
NT (Positions 1, 2 and 3 are OK)
QLD (Positions 1, 2 are OK but 3 is not)
ACT (Position 1 OK but 2 and 3 are not)
References to documentation in each state:

Vic
https://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/safe...driving-lights
WA
http://www.transport.wa.gov.au/media..._VS_IB_132.pdf
SA
https://www.sa.gov.au/topics/driving...nstrumentation
https://www.sa.gov.au/__data/assets/...ning-Lamps.pdf
NT
https://nt.gov.au/driving/safety/additional-lighting
QLD
https://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/-/media/S...tions/L153.pdf
ACT
https://www.accesscanberra.act.gov.au/app/answers/detail/a_id/2945/~/motor-vehicle-headlights-and-lamps
NSW/TAS
Unable to find anything concrete online

Originally Posted by trout1105

Here you go Mick;
http://www.comlaw.gov.au/Details/F20...f-844000bab145
7.4.4.2. In Height: No higher than the passing beam (dipped beam) headlamp.

So unless your low beams are fitted to the roof fitting driving lights to the roof is a "No No"

7.4 is for "Cornering Lamps"
You need to re-read the ADR to refamiliarise yourself with it.

Originally Posted by trout1105

Oh, I also discovered my own lightbar may be illegal because it's mounted on top of the bullbar and may be a pedestrian hazard. Great!

I also have a lightbar fitted on top of my bullbar, It doesn't impede my view of the road and is below the top of the bonnet (Pretty Much) and I would imagine that this would be of the least concern to some poor soul that was to be misfortunate enough to be hit by 2.5-3 tone of Disco

It's not about being hit by the vehicle, it's about pedestrians injuring themselves as they walk past your car.
If there are no exposed bits that a passing pedestrian can hook or injure themselves, and it complies with other rules, it will be ok.

My lightbar, although on top of the bullbar, is not above the line of the bonnet and does not protrude forward of the bullbar. It is also smooth surfaced and slimline. Being below the line of the bonnet it does not obstruct my view. So I may be able to make an argument it does not increase the hazard to pedestrians - maybe... ?

Of course, blogs are only opinions, not legal rulings, so who knows?

L153.pdf

Frequently asked questions—vehicle standards and modifications (Department of Transport and Main Roads)

Vehicle standards instructions (Department of Transport and Main Roads)

Originally Posted by DiscoMick

My lightbar, although on top of the bullbar, is not above the line of the bonnet and does not protrude forward of the bullbar. It is also smooth surfaced and slimline. Being below the line of the bonnet it does not obstruct my view. So I may be able to make an argument it does not increase the hazard to pedestrians - maybe... ?

That would be my understanding.

You both MISunderstand

Originally Posted by Tombie

So because of the actions of one individual we’re going onto a Cop bashing tangent are we?

this is the experiences people are having with the police. police need to be accountable for their actions and mistakes.

Originally Posted by Gordie

In this state, not sure about NSW, a police officer only has to suspect that a motor vehicle does not meet ADR's in order to defect it. He doesn't have to prove it.

IF he has conducted himself in a less than professional manner....go to a police station and fill out a complaint form. You can't complain about him doing is job, ie suspecting a defect and defecting you for it....but if he has been rude, you can complain about that.

As for jumping out of a vehicle, and thrusting a recording device in an officers face, whilst demanding his name and number...yes you can do it...but I can tell you from experience, it is going to cost you a fine and a defect, when it could merely have been a friendly chat that you were pulled over for.

Police officers are human, yes there are some over zealous ones...but there are a lot who are reasonable. But if you get their backs up, even the reasonable ones will sting you.

Where did I say you "thrust a recording device in his face"?
Unless his actions warrant otherwise, I am always polite. Getting out of the vehicle, licence and logbook (if required) in hand, and recording device in the shirt pocket, and moving to a safe area (preferably in view of the dash cam). Stick your hand out, and introduce yourself, due the conditioned response in most people, you now have their name recorded. This also gives you the chance to judge their current mood/attitude.
If things appear to be escalating, or their attitude warrants it, I usually ask if they're recording it. Their response is always positive - it's a requirement for them nowadays. I then inform them that I am too, for the reasons stated earlier.
If they write you a ticket, read it before they leave. Make sure their name and other details are legible. I usually tell them to write it as a court summons, not a ticket, because I will be opposing it in court. (Unless it's a "fair cop" for something you are actually guilty of).
Most cops are fine, but the ones that aren't can cost you a months wages or more, just by being arseholes. That's where the recording is an insurance policy.
You do not need to inform someone you are recording them (provided you are a party to the conversation). How you use the recording is the bit the law is about. Use in a court of law is generally permissible.