THE State government has agreed to act on the bullbars legislation that unfairly targets rural drivers.
Following an exclusive campaign this month in The Land, Roads Minister Duncan Gay has intervened to help resolve the growing anger in the north of the State about the police blitz on five-post bullbars, effectively giving ute owners a few years' grace to replace them.
“In recent weeks it’s become obvious certain five-post bullbars get entangled in Australian Design Rules for vehicle frontal protection systems," Mr Gay said.
The NSW-only rules were enacted in January 2003 in reaction to a spate of city drivers who had injured pedestrians.
Drivers in the bush, who use the bullbars to protect them from collisions with kangaroos, have only been hit with fines over recent months as police crack down on the so-called "defects".
Mr Gay said he had heard the outcry from farmers and rural motorists who had no idea their five-post bullbars were illegal.
“I have genuine concerns people have purchased bullbars in good faith and are now subject to a police compliance campaign,” he said.
Yesterday afternoon Mr Gay directed the NSW Vehicle Standards Working Group to conduct a detailed examination of rules for bullbars at a meeting today.
The working group will also carry out crash tests to investigate the risks of non-complying bull bars.
“I have also directed the NSW Vehicle Standards Working Group to determine a transition period for people who have inadvertently purchased a non-complying bull bar since 2003.
"This transition period is likely to be several years in duration.
“The Vehicle Standard Working Group will also work closely with NSW Farmers Association and manufacturers to address concerns surrounding the 2003 made bull bar regulation.”
Last week Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall told Parliament people were angry. He said the move made sense and would be welcomed by many people in his region.
“The recent blitz by NSW Police to enforce the Australian Standards and the 2003 regulations has caused enormous angst and frustration for many people who have bought new vehicles or had bullbars fitted to vehicles in absolute good faith and who are now in the crosshairs,” he said.
“The move by the minister means affected vehicle owners will be given some breathing space and enough time to make any required adjustments to their bull bars to comply with the reviewed rules set by the working group.”
The Working Group is chaired by Transport for NSW comprises NSW Police, NRMA Motoring and Services, Roads and Maritime Services, Motor Traders Association NSW, Four Wheel Drive NSW and ACT Inc, Confederation of Australian Motor Sports Ltd, NSW Rally Cars, Australian Street Rod Federation, Institute of Automotive Mechanical Engineers Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association, and the Australian Confederation of Motor Clubs.
