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Brake Assist Systems – Details-Stage Regulation Impact Statement – Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development

On 22 October 2013, the Assistant Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development introduced a requirement through Australian Design Rules 31/03 and 35/05 under section 7 of the Motor Vehicle Standards Act 1989 for Brake Assist Systems (BAS) to be fitted to new light passenger vehicles and light commercial vehicles.  BAS will be mandated from 2015 for new vehicle models, 2016 for all new light passenger vehicles and 2017 for all new light commercial vehicles. BAS are designed to help drivers stop more quickly in an emergency situation.  By detecting when a vehicle is undergoing emergency braking and then applying the maximum braking force, BAS can minimise the stopping distance of a vehicle and help to either avoid a collision or reduce its severity.  BAS has significant potential to reduce road trauma involving pedestrians and cyclists.    Compared to the business as usual case, the preferred option is estimated to provide net benefits of $30m, saving 10 lives and over 200 serious injuries over a 15-year regulation period.  It is also estimated to achieve the highest ongoing fitment rate of BAS in new vehicles, thereby maximising the benefits that BAS has to offer.  The option would add an additional cost of around $45 per vehicle. A details-stage Regulation Impact Statement (RIS) was prepared by the Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development. The RIS contains an adequate level of analysis and meets best practice regulation requirements.