Media Releases
Wednesday, 16th September 2009
New Truck Safety Rule To Save Lives
- Australian Design Rules (ADRs) are national standards for vehicle safety, anti-theft and emissions. The standards apply to vehicles newly manufactured in Australia or imported as new or second hand vehicles, and supplied to the Australian market.
- ADRs are signed into law by the responsible Commonwealth Minister following a consultative process involving government, industry, employee and consumer representatives and the opportunity for the public to provide comment.
- Australian Design Rule (ADR) 84/00 Front Underrun Impact Protection now requires Front Underrun Protection (FUP) systems on new model rigid and articulated heavy goods vehicles (new models of trucks more than 12 tonnes from January 2011and all remaining models of trucks more than 12 tonnes from January 2012). Trucks more than 4.5 tonnes and up to 12 tonnes may optionally be certified to the ADR, to take advantage of any state or territory concessional schemes for vehicles with front underrun protection.
- FUP involves an impact barrier of prescribed strength and dimensions that catches or deflects a light vehicle during a collision to stop it sliding under a heavy truck. It can either be built in to the structure of the truck, or added on – in some cases replacing the function of a bull bar at the same time.
- By catching or deflecting the light vehicle, its occupant protection systems are then able to work effectively, mitigating injury to the light vehicle occupants.
- The international regulation (United Nations Economic Commission for Europe – UNECE - R 93) that the ADR is based on has been adopted in Europe. It will be adopted by Japan in 2012. It has not been adopted by the United States.
- In 2007, the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government invited public comment on a Regulatory Impact Statement (RIS) for Underrun Protection. A draft ADR was then developed that took into account local requirements.
- It is estimated that FUP will provide benefits of over $20 million a year (including lives saved and injuries reduced and averted), once fully implemented.
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Electorate Office
334a Marrickville Rd
Marrickville NSW 2204
Phone: 02 9564 3588
Parliament House Office
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Electorate Office
334a Marrickville Rd
Marrickville NSW 2204
Phone: 02 9564 3588
Parliament House Office
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600
Phone: 02 6277 7700
Phone: (02) 9564 3588
Fax: (02) 9564 1734
Email: A.Albanese.MP@aph.gov.au
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Authorised by Anthony Albanese. 334a Marrickville Rd, Marrickville NSW 2204.