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Improved Side Impact Protection

Regulation Impact Statement – Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development

On 17 December 2015, the Minister for Major Projects announced a new Australian Design Rule (ADR) that sets strict performance criteria for light passenger and light commercial vehicles in side impacts with narrow objects such as poles. Side impact crashes are one of the most significant causes of road crash trauma in Australia, accounting for just over 20 per cent of all road crash fatalities and around 10 per cent of serious injuries. Side impacts with narrow objects such as poles can be especially dangerous. The new Design Rule sets strict performance criteria for light passenger and light commercial vehicles in side impacts with a narrow object such as a pole. It is expected to save 128 lives and avoid 195 severe or moderate brain injuries over a fifteen year period. It will commence for new model light passenger vehicles on 1 November 2017 and for new model light commercial vehicles on 1 July 2018. The Office of Best Practice Regulation (OBPR) assessed the RIS prepared by the Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development as compliant with the RIS requirements and consistent with best practice. The RIS estimates the average annual regulatory cost at $10 million per annum. The OBPR has agreed to the regulatory costs and offsets.