Australian Government Mandates LCV Brake Upgrades

The Australian government will require modern brake technologies in all new light- commercial vehicles.

Road Safety Minister Catherine King says the Australian Design Rules will be amended to make electronic stability control compulsory for new LCVs such as utilities and goods vans.

Brake-assist systems will be made standard in light passenger vehicles, including cars, passenger vans and off-road vehicles, as well as in LCVs.

“Each year, over 200 pedestrians and cyclists die on Australian roads, and many more are seriously injured,” King says in a statement.

“Mandating vehicle technology that helps drivers to avoid collisions is an effective way to make our roads safer for all users and will further bolster the government’s efforts under the national road safety strategy, aimed at reducing deaths and injuries on Australia’s roads.”

The government says interested parties can make submissions on the proposal during a consultation period that ends June 26.

The Australian Automobile Assn. (AAA) endorses the move. “This is lifesaving technology that many ute (utility vehicle) and van drivers have not been able to access,” Executive Director Andrew McKellar says in a statement.

“Extending ESC to light-commercial vehicles will no doubt save lives on the nation’s roads,” he says. “This is a welcome road safety step that will be welcomed by the AAA and member clubs.”