M
ost of us have seen it. The
dash cam footage of a caravan
swaying out of control down a
major highway before it topples
sideways and is dragged along the road in
gripping video reminiscent of an action movie.
The driver clambers out dazed, and the social
argument begins about who is at fault.
Despite what some describe as a bit of
'sensationalised footage', the issue of how safe
RVs are on our roads isn't one which is going
to go away any time soon, and it's something
everyone agrees needs to be addressed,
including the Federal Government.
Late last year, the Turnbull Government
announced it would review the existing nearly
30-year-old Motor Vehicle Standards Act to,
"modernise and strengthen the laws governing
road vehicles to maintain and improve vehicle
SAFETYsafety, while expanding consumer choice and
reducing red tape".
It says the new legislation, to come into effect
from 2019, "will better protect the community,
provide more choice for specialist and enthusiast
vehicles, be responsive to emerging technologies
... and provide increased consumer choice
through expanding and improving the pathways
for importing specialist and enthusiast vehicles".
The change will also give the responsible
minister strong powers to mandate the recall
of vehicles if serious safety issues arise. The
powers will apply to all road vehicles supplied in
Australia, whether for private or commercial use.
Luke Donnellan, the Minister for Roads and
Road Safety in Victoria, where 90% of caravans
are built, says the changes will, "give consumers
greater choice while maintaining a high standard
of vehicle safety".Minister for Roads and Road Safety,
Luke Donnellan