Bullbar
Vehicle front protection device, controversial for pedestrian safety risks.
Last updated
A frontal protection system mounted on vehicles, traditionally designed to shield the vehicle from damage in impacts, is called a bullbar.[1] Research indicates that vehicles equipped with bull bars are associated with a higher likelihood of fatal or severe harm to pedestrians.[2] In Australia, collisions with kangaroos represent a major road danger, which is why bullbars are often referred to as "roo bars".[3]
Quick Facts
- Field
- Automotive accessory; vehicle safety equipment
- Materials
- Steel
- aluminium
- polycarbonate
- polyethylene
- polished stainless steel
- Primary hazard
- Increased risk of death and serious injury to pedestrians
- Regions of use
- Europe, Australia, United States, United Kingdom
- Alternative names
- Push bumper
- nudge bar
- brushbar
- bush bar
- roo bar
- winch bumper
Facts from the source article.
How it changed
Plastic bullbars made from materials like polyethylene are designed to act like a spring and deflect during a collision.[1] Due to deaths and injuries caused by rigid fronts with metal bullbars, the sale of new non-compliant metal bullbars was banned in the European Union.[4] In the United Kingdom, the sale and refitting of second-hand bars manufactured before 2007 is still permitted.[4] In Australia, Australian Standard AS4876.1-2002 applies construction rules to all bullbars manufactured since 2002.[5]
Some vehicle makers and aftermarket firms now produce impact bars that work with the vehicle’s safety systems, for instance triggering airbags after a collision with the bar.[1] Compared to the same vehicle without any bullbar, these designs are more "pedestrian friendly".[1] To lessen the force of impacts, certain contemporary bullbars incorporate crumple zones or are attached to sliders that allow them to move backward.[1]
What the maker and period sources say
According to a July 2018 guide from BullyUSA, the channel section that gives the protection system its strength must be made from a single piece of material, without any bolted-on or welded sections.[6][7] The same guide states that generally, a thicker material results in a stronger product that offers greater protection.[6][7] In the U.S., bullbars are a popular choice for SUV and truck owners, and because they are a bolt-on accessory, their installation is not classified as a modification.[6][7] A November 2001 BBC News report noted that a voluntary agreement, approved by EU governments, required all new cars to be equipped with daytime running lights by the start of 2002.[8]
References
- Wikipedia, "Bullbar" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: "AutoWeb - Smart Bar a Contender in Automotive Safety Award"; Smart Bar research page; "Bull Bar Install", www.parksoffroad.com; "BULLBAR CRASH TEST – How strong are they? PLUS How a bullbar is made!", 8 March 2021 (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org
- Wikipedia, "Bullbar" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: "DfT Research: A Study of Accidents Involving Bull Bar Equipped Vehicles", Rmd.dft.gov.uk, 1996-12-01 (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org
- Wikipedia, "Bullbar" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: Directorate, "Kangaroos and Vehicles", www.environment.act.gov.au, 2022-10-08; Parrott, "10 million animals are hit on our roads each year. Here’s how you can help them (and steer clear of them) these holidays", The Conversation, 2020-12-20 (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org
- Wikipedia, "Bullbar" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: ((Department of the Official Report (Hansard), House of Commons, Westminster)), "House of Commons Hansard Debates for 13 Feb 2001 (pt 1)", Publications.parliament.uk, 2001-02-13; EUR-Lex - 32005L0066 - EN Directive 2005/66/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 October 2005 relating to the use of frontal protection system (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org
- Wikipedia, "Bullbar" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: Standards Australia Limited (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org
- Wikipedia, "Bullbar" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: "Bull Bars: Installation, Types & Materials", BullyUSA, July 2018 (we also read that source) en.wikipedia.org
- "Bull Bars: Installation, Types & Materials", BullyUSA, July 2018. facts only, no text reused. bullyusa.com
- "Bull bars banned from next year", BBC News, November 27, 2001. facts only, no text reused. news.bbc.co.uk
Each numbered sentence above was checked against the source it cites before publication. Sentences citing Wikipedia adapt text from the English Wikipedia article Bullbar (contributors), used under CC BY-SA 4.0; this entry is available under the same licence. Other sources were used for facts only; no text or images are copied from them.
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Sources
Compiled from Wikipedia and the sources listed below. Text from Wikipedia is available under CC BY-SA 4.0; this entry is adapted from it.
- Wikipedia: Bullbar (CC BY-SA 4.0).
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