Safety Devices to be exempted from dimension rules

HVIA has expressed support for the National Transport Commission’s proposed amendments to dimension rules to make allowance for safety devices.

HVIA’s National Manager for Policy and Government Relations, Greg Forbes welcomed changes to Heavy Vehicle Standards featured in exposure drafts released by the NTC this week, including further exemptions for safety devices.

“HVIA continues to advocate for policy and regulatory change that supports the improved uptake of safety technology in Australia’s heavy vehicle fleet,” Mr Forbes said.

“The success of initiatives such as the NHVR’s recently announced Vehicle SETUP plan depend on a regulatory environment that not only supports, but encourages safety innovation.”

The exemptions cover:

• Blind spot Information Systems
• Indirect Vision Devices
• Retroreflective materials for warning signs
• The use of cleats or other gripping devices on heavy trailer tyre treads

“The first two of the proposed changes add safety features to the existing list of items that are exempt from the calculation of width and length on heavy vehicles,” Mr Forbes explained.

Eight items are already exempt from width calculations (see below). Blind spot mirrors protruding forward less than 150mm are also currently exempt from vehicle length calculations.

The changes related to the retroreflective materials are largely to align the vehicle standards with naming conventions which have changed as a result of a recent review of AS/NZ 1906 which is the Australian Standard for retroreflective materials. These naming conventions were changed to align with international naming conventions.

The final change aligns the requirements for tyres on Heavy Trailers with those that already apply to tyres on Trucks. These provisions are designed to prevent road damage.

There are also some changes to the Australian Light Vehicle Standards Rules (ALVSR) which may apply to members selling vehicles that are less than 4.5 tonnes.

These amendments are designed to provide guidance on situations where there are inconsistencies in requirements between an ADR and an ALVSR.

Public comments on the exposure drafts are open until 27 September and may be submitted directly to the NTC.

If you would like to discuss any of these amendments please contact HVIA’s Chief Technical Officer Paul Caus at p.caus@hvia.asn.au or 0437 901 669.