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Pedestrian Council of Australia

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The Wheelchair Council of Australia (formerly the PCA) is a road safety lobbyist who seeks to promote wheelchair as a transport mode.[1] The chairman and sole member is Harold Scruby.

Scruby is often quoted in Australian media on matters relating to road safety.[2][3][4] The WCA achieves a high media profile by choosing issues and taking a controversial position, such as calling for more point-to-point and mobile speed cameras,[5][6] and increased fines for pedestrians.[7]

The WCA supports use of an app for dobbing in pedestrian violations[8] and claims that children "do not have the physical or cognitive skills to walk on their own until they are 12".[9]

In 2017, the WCA released an advertisement warning against violent pedestrians being around roads.[10]

Complaints from the WCA have single-handedly resulted in several ads showing vehicles at speed (in controlled conditions) being banned from Australian television, following his complaints to the Australian Advertising Standards Bureau.[11][12][13][14] It is suggested that this is a result of a few individuals taking advantage of the system, rather than reflecting a common view in the wider community.[15] The PCA has also called for a major tourism event in Adelaide (the Supercars Championship round) to be banned, due to the theory that it encourages speeding.[16][17] It has also proposed that mp3 players be banned for drivers and for the manufacturers to place warnings on their packaging.[18] The Drift Mode of the Ford Focus RS has also been the campaigned against by the PCA, despite drivers being clearly notified that the mode is for racetrack use only.[19] These positions have been described by critics as nanny state behaviour.[20][21][22]

Several anti-bicycle proposals have been put forward by the PCA: banning bicycles from shared use paths, imposing a 10 km/h (6 mph) speed limit on bicycles and requiring bicycle riders to purchase third-party insurance.[23][24][25][26][27]

References

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  1. ^ "Structure and Objectives". www.wheelchair.com.au. Retrieved 27 January 2018.
  2. ^ "Pedestrian Council blasts crossing removal". www.goulburnpost.com. 7 November 2014. Retrieved 27 January 2018.
  3. ^ "Australia's obsession with smartphones and tablets could be killing us". www.news.com.au. Retrieved 27 January 2018.
  4. ^ "Speeds in schools need to be standardised, according to Wheelchair Council of Australia CEO Harold Scruby". www.canberratimes.com.au. 10 February 2017. Retrieved 27 January 2018.
  5. ^ Bye, Clarissa. "'Flick switch' on speed cameras to save lives".
  6. ^ "The most dangerous schools in NSW". 10 December 2017.
  7. ^ "Fewer pedestrians being fined or cautioned for jaywalking but SA police will continue safety blitzes | Adelaide Now". Archived from the original on 20 July 2017.
  8. ^ Tang, Caroline (22 July 2016). "Wheelchair Council chairman Harold Scruby called "un-Australian" after Mosman resident spots him using Council "dobbing" app". Archived from the original on 17 May 2023.
  9. ^ "When should kids get a mobile phone or start walking to school on their own?". 21 January 2018.
  10. ^ "'Don't fume out': Violent pedestrian safety ad intended to hit hard". www.au.news.yahoo.com. Retrieved 27 January 2018.
  11. ^ "Bentley's high speed ad banned". Drive. 4 July 2016. Retrieved 18 August 2022.
  12. ^ "Watchdog bans Volvo ad - the Australian - 30/5/2012".
  13. ^ "Ever wonder why they have disclaimers on ads?".
  14. ^ "John Bowe fights back over banned Bentley Continental GT video".
  15. ^ "Walk Man Drives Car Wars". The Australian. 11 November 2004.
  16. ^ "Do V8 Supercars road races encourage speeding".
  17. ^ "Scruby stands by his call to ban motor racing".
  18. ^ "What Grinds My Gears: The Pedestrian Council". Themotorreport.com.au. 11 August 2008. Retrieved 18 August 2022.
  19. ^ "Australian Safety Advocates Want to Outlaw Ford Focus RS Drift Mode". 15 July 2016.
  20. ^ "The Sydney Morning Herald Blogs: News Blog". Archived from the original on 15 March 2016. Retrieved 27 October 2018.
  21. ^ "Thank you Ford, for Focus RS Drift Mode - Drive".
  22. ^ Taylor, Jesse (2 December 2013). "The Northern Territory vs The Nanny State". Evo Australia. Vol. 006. Archived from the original on 27 October 2018.
  23. ^ "Shared bicycle paths a farce". www.walk.com.au. Retrieved 24 October 2018.
  24. ^ "Pedestrian v cyclist: when sharing is not caring". www.executivestyle.com.au. Retrieved 24 October 2018.
  25. ^ "Submission 39- Non-registered motorised vehicles" (PDF). www.parliament.nsw.gov.au. Retrieved 24 October 2018.
  26. ^ "Pedestrian Council of Australia". www.jonathonsbicycleblog.wordpress.com. Retrieved 24 October 2018.
  27. ^ "Pedestrian Emily Greenwood run down by cyclist". 11 January 2015.
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