Development of the Australian Design Rules for Motor Vehicles and Trailers

Invitation for Public Comment

The Australian Government is examining the case for regulating the pole side impact (PSI) performance of light passenger vehicles and light commercial vehicles through the Australian Design Rules for Motor Vehicles and Trailers (ADRs).  The ADRs are national standards under the Motor Vehicle Standards Act 1989 and apply to all new vehicles.

Over 20 percent of all Australian road deaths and around 10 percent of hospital admissions from road crashes are drivers or passengers in vehicles that are involved in side impact crashes.  This is currently costing the Australian community around $4.2 billion a year in road trauma.

An ADR for PSI performance would lead to a substantial reduction in fatalities and serious injuries both in PSI crashes (side impact crashes with narrow pole-like objects) and other side impacts generally, by necessitating increased vehicle protection for the occupant’s head and chest.

The Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development (the Department), which administers the Act, is inviting public comment on a draft Regulation Impact Statement (RIS) that considers the case for regulating PSI performance.  A copy of the RIS is available from:

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

Indicative Commencement Dates

For consultative purposes, the RIS includes indicative commencement dates for a new ADR on PSI performance.  The Department specifically requests feedback on these dates.

For further information please contact Steven Hoy on:

Telephone: (02) 6274 7511
Facsimile: (02) 6274 7979
Email:  standards@infrastructure.gov.au

Comments must be provided by 31 July 2015.