The requirement for semi trailer rear bumpers to be painted white has been removed in a move the Australian Trucking Association reckons will save transport operators more than $12 million over the next decade.
The move, initially proposed by the ATA, was announced last week by Federal Minister for Major Projects, Territories and Local Government, Paul Fletcher.
ATA CEO Christopher Melham said the amendment did away with a tangle of red tape for operators and trucking suppliers and would have no effect on heavy vehicle safety.
“Until now, it has been a legal requirement under the Australian Design Rules for a semi trailer rear bumper to be painted white,” he said.
“This was intended to improve visibility for other road users, but worked better in theory than in practice.
“The bumper makes little difference during daylight hours, and the semi trailer’s rear marker plates provide much greater visibility benefits at nighttime and in low-light situations.”
He said the rule was inconsistent as it only applied to semi trailers – other types of heavy vehicle were exempt from the requirement.
The change will come into force for new trailers once the Vehicles Standard (Australian Design Rule 42/04 – General Safety Requirements) 2005 – Amendment 6 is registered but would require state regulators to issue an exemption against current vehicle standards regulations for the change to cover semi trailers in service.