Progressive improvement in the safety of Australia’s vehicle fleet remains fundamental to the long-term development of a safe road transport system. The National Road Safety Strategy review emphasised the continuing importance of a strong regime of vehicle safety regulation, complemented by effective consumer information initiatives to promote voluntary uptake of safer vehicles.
The following actions seek to:
- implement priority vehicle safety standards through the Australian Design Rules process
- accelerate the market uptake of vehicle technologies with significant safety potential.
Actions
6. Mandate pole side impact occupant protection standards for new vehicles.
Responsibility
Commonwealth
Implementation:
Prepare a regulatory package early in 2015.
By early-2017:
Adoption of an Australian Design Rule (subject to Regulation Impact Statement (RIS) outcomes).
7. Mandate anti-lock brake systems for new motorcycles.
Responsibility
Commonwealth.
Implementation:
Prepare a regulatory package in mid-2015.
By mid-2017:
Adoption of an Australian Design Rule (subject to RIS outcomes).
8. Mandate electronic stability control (ESC) for new heavy vehicles.
Responsibility
Commonwealth.
Implementation:
Prepare a regulatory package in accordance with Heavy Vehicle Braking strategy (HVBS) Phase II around end 2015.
By end-2017:
Adoption of an Australian Design Rule (subject to RIS outcomes).
9. Promote the market uptake of new vehicle technologies with high safety potential.
Responsibility
Commonwealth. States and territories (coordinated through Strategic Vehicle Safety and Environment Group (SVSEG)).
Implementation:
Jurisdictions to collaborate with ANCAP, industry and other stakeholders on the development and implementation of a promotional plan (coordinated through SVSEG).
Targeted technologies to include Autonomous Emergency Braking, Lane Departure Warning and Intelligent Speed Advisory systems.
By end-2017:
Plan for promotional activities developed and implemented, with measurable increase in numbers/proportion of new vehicles with targeted technologies