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Improved Protection of Vehicle Occupants in Side Impact Crashes

Regulation Impact Statement for consultation – Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development

On 19 June 2015, the Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development released a draft Regulation Impact Statement (RIS) for consultation which considers the case for regulating improved protection of vehicle occupants in side impact crashes. Side impact crashes are one of the largest causes of road crash trauma in Australia. Side impact crashes with narrow objects such as poles and trees (referred to as pole side impacts) can be particularly dangerous because the point of impact is often very close to the vehicle occupant(s). The proposal aims to improve the safety of vehicle occupants by regulating the pole side impact performance of light passenger vehicles and light commercial vehicles through the Australian Design Rules (the national standards which apply to all new vehicles). The proposal has been assessed by the Office of Best Practice Regulation (OBPR) as likely to have a measurable but contained impact on the economy. Comments on the proposal should be sent to the Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development submissions inbox prior to 31 July 2015. The RIS has been certified by the Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development and was subject to an early assessment by the OBPR.