Volvo drivers can get some relief from the fact that some motorists share the same stereotype of 4WDers and believe they need extra training.

We believe that 4WDs need to be considered from the point of view of the possible danger of bullbars to pedestrians. Preferably through voluntary compliance bullbar manufacturers need to use designs that minimize the harm to vulnerable road users.

It is acknowledged that many other road safety issues may have more of an impact than bullbars. It is not known if they are involved in promoting injuries and fatalities. Those investigating the issues should ensure they don't simply record a correlation between bullbars and injuries. 4WDs (and most other bullbar using vehicles)are larger and heavier than many vehicles and would not be the ideal object for a pedestrian to come into collision with with or without a bullbar.

Nevertheless in spite of our 'just in case' prevention approach we would not condone victimisation or demonisation of motorists using 4WDs with bullbars. This is a possibility as concerns have been expressed and it is obviously an issue which could stir up emotion and overreaction prior to investigations uncovering the real situation.