Update - Federal Govt and BullBars

Public submission period has been extended for proposed adoption of UN standards into ADR for pedestrian protection.

The Australian Government Department of Infrastructure and Transport is releasing a consultation Regulation Impact Statement (RIS) proposing mandating Global Technical Regulation (GTR) No. 9 for pedestrian safety.

GTR 9 is an international vehicle standard developed by the United Nations. The GTR requires vehicle manufacturers to design the front of vehicles to absorb the energy of a collision with a pedestrian or other “vulnerable” road user.

It is proposed that the GTR would be implemented as an Australian Design Rule (ADR). The new ADR would apply to new passenger car, 4WD and light commercial vehicle models being first supplied from 2013 with a phase in period until 2019.

The proposal recognises that compliance with an ADR on pedestrian safety may be affected by the fitting of Vehicle Front Protection Systems (VFPS) commonly known as “bull bars” to new vehicles. This is discussed in the RIS in terms of maintaining pedestrian safety performance. For those vehicles required to meet the ADR and a VFPS is also intended to be fitted, it is proposed to adopt either the European Union standard or the Australian Standard for VFPS, depending on the vehicle type. There is no proposal to ban VFPS.

The RIS has being written in accordance with Office of Best Practice Regulation requirements. Copies of the RIS and other supporting documents, as well as the feedback arrangements, may be found at:

http://www.infrastructure.gov.au/roads/motor/design/adr_comment.aspx

The release of the RIS will be advertised in the Australian newspaper and the Australian Government Gazette in due course. The normal two month public comment period has been extended to three months to allow for the new year period.

There is no need to reply to this post. Put in a submission instead.
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