Member for Northern Tablelands Adam Marshall said this would provide some much-needed clarity to rural motorists in the Northern Tablelands, some of whom were still confused about the bulbar rules following a recent decision by Roads Minister Duncan Gay to introduce a two-year moratorium for vehicles owners who inadvertently purchased a non-complying bull bar. 

The Ministerial Order provides 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, and manufacturers, while the standards are reviewed by the NSW Vehicle Standards Working Group,” Mr Marshall said.

“This will ensure that key areas of the bullbar’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.”

The Ministerial Order would be in place for two years and a guide will be released that includes diagrams and clearly explains NSW’s bull bar rules as well as the interim tolerances that have been approved.

Local motorists and manufacturers are urged to visit the Centre for Road Safety website to view the tolerances for bull bars.

Information about which bull bars are allowed on NSW roads is available at www.roadsafety.transport.nsw.gov.au/stayingsafe/vehiclesafety/bull-bars.html