Mr Watson questions the requirement for immobilisers in emergency service vehicles, particularly Fast Attack fire trucks, given previous exemptions. The response clarifies the regulatory changes and provides data on vehicle theft incidence.

AnsweredQoN 2787Legislative Assembly
Asked
20 August 2014
Portfolio
Emergency Services

QuestionView source ↗

I refer to the exemption from the requirement to fit an immobilizer and ask: (a) what is the rationale behind the installation of immobilisers in emergency service vehicles such as the Fast Attack fire truck when previously fire appliance vehicles were exempt under Section 1017B(2)(c) of the Road Traffic Act ; and (b) what is the incidence of motor vehicle theft of emergency service vehicles for the years: 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013?

AnswerView source ↗

Answered
16 September 2014
Responded by
Minister for Emergency Services
Response time
27 days
The Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) advises:
(a) The exemption for installation of immobilisers in fire appliances referred to in the above question was provided by the A/Director General of the Department of Transport pursuant to regulation 1017B(2)(c) of the
Road Traffic (Vehicle Standards) Regulations 1977
not the
Road Traffic Act
. The
Road Traffic (Vehicle Standards) Regulations 1977
were repealed on 1 November 2002.
The
Road Traffic (Vehicle Standards) Rules 2002
are the relevant rules and do not provide for an exemption for fire appliance vehicles. Rule 176(4) of the
Road Traffic (Vehicle Standards) Rules 2002
instead provides that the rule requiring an immobiliser does not apply to a motor vehicle with a Gross Vehicle Mass of more than 4.5t. The majority of the Department's emergency service vehicles exceed a Gross Vehicle Mass of 4.5t.
The only currently developed emergency service vehicle of the Department that does not exceed a Gross Vehicle Mass of 4.5t is the V8 Toyota Landcruiser light tanker, which is considered a fast attack fire appliance and is installed with an immobilizer.
(b)
YEAR
TOTAL
2000
0
2001
1
2002
0
2003
0
2004
0
2005
1
2006
0
2007
1
2008
0
2009
0
2010
0
2011
0
2012
0
2013
0

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