TOOWOOMBA'S largest bullbar manufacturer is hanging in limbo as New South Wales police crack down on certain types of the automotive safety devices.
Tuff Bullbars director Anton Griffiths said the blitz on five-post bullbars - the only kind his company makes - was based on a false presumption they had been illegal since 2003.
The NSW police issued bullbar defect notices to 38 motorists in one region in a single-day operation last month.
"We can't find anywhere in the law where it says five-post bullbars are illegal," Mr Griffiths said.
"We bought this business in 2002 and that's when the new laws came into place. We have sold thousands of our bullbars in NSW and have never had any problems until now."
A customer sent this photo to Tuff Bullbars after hitting a tree at 80kmh. "Hit a tree and was grateful that the engine did not push back into the cab due to the bullbar, otherwise I would have not be here today," he wrote.
Tuff Bullbars employs 45 staff in Toowoomba and does 70 per cent of its business in NSW.
"Earlier this week, we had customers being 'defected' who then went to the Transport Department and were given the all clear," he said.
"What changed is the way the highway patrol is interpreting the rules.
"We're not the only ones in Toowoomba this will affect - there's Hopper Knocker Bullbars, Boomer Bullbars, Oz Autoquip and Black Toyota's manufacturing division all make five-posts."
Mr Griffiths said he had tried to make contact with several government ministers but was yet to receive an adequate response.
A customer recently emailed him after hitting a tree in NSW at 80kmh.
The utility's crumple zone and airbags worked perfectly and he received only a seatbelt burn.
"I am pleased to say that we often get stories and pictures like these, which is important for us, because that is what we aim to do - save lives," Mr Griffiths said.
"I can honestly say that in the 12 years that we have been in business we have had no reports of one of our products injuring or killing a pedestrian."
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