A MINISTERIAL Order that protects motorists with non-compliant bull bars from being fined and prosecuted has been extended for another year, Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall has announced.
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The original two-year order was put in place during September 2014 following uncertainty over the Australian Design Rules applicable to bull bars after a compliance campaign by the NSW Police.
Mr Marshall said the extension would allow the NSW Vehicle Standards Working Group extra time to finalise their report to Roads Minister Duncan Gay.
“This order continues to provide clear guidelines detailing the types of bull bars allowed on vehicles on NSW roads to address the controversial issue of ‘non-compliance’ in the Northern Tablelands,” he said.
“It will ensure that motorists who may have inadvertently purchased non-compliant bull bars are not unfairly targeted or fined.
Mr Marshall said the Ministerial Order provided breathing space and time to rectify issues with some bull bars, but those that are considered dangerous can still be deemed not roadworthy by compliance officers.
“The Order provides some tolerance for people who have inadvertently purchased a non-complying bull bar,” he said.
“This will ensure that key areas of the bull bar’s design consider safety such as having minimum ground clearance, forward vision, and that lights, indicators and number plates remain visible.
“It’s all about making sure dangerous bull bars are removed from our roads without punishing people who have unknowingly purchased variations that don’t pose an unacceptable road safety risk.”
Mr Marshall is urging local motorists and manufacturers to visit the Centre for Road Safety website to view the tolerances for bull bars.