Pedestrian Council of Australia

The Pedestrian Council of Australia (PCA) is a road safety lobbyist who seeks to promote walking 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 PCA 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 PCA supports use of an app for dobbing in parking violations[8] and claims that children "do not have the physical or cognitive skills to cross roads on their own until they are 12".[9]

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

Complaints from the PCA have 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

  1. "Structure and Objectives". www.walk.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 school zones need to be standardised, according to Pedestrian 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 school zones 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). "Pedestrian 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 tune 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". Archived from the original on 20 August 2018.
  17. "Scruby stands by his call to ban motor racing". Archived from the original on 4 September 2018.
  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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