Pedestrian Council of Australia
{{Short description|Lobby group promoting wheelchairs}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
The Wheelchair Council of Australia (formerly the PCA) is a road safety lobbyist who seeks to promote wheelchair as a transport mode.{{cite web|title=Structure and Objectives|url=http://www.wheelchair.com.au/wheelchair/page.asp?PageID=105|website=www.wheelchair.com.au|accessdate=27 January 2018}} The chairman and sole member is Harold Scruby.
Scruby is often quoted in Australian media on matters relating to road safety.{{cite web|title=Pedestrian Council blasts crossing removal|url=http://www.goulburnpost.com.au/story/2678716/pedestrian-council-blasts-crossing-removal/|website=www.goulburnpost.com|date=7 November 2014|accessdate=27 January 2018}}{{cite web|title=Australia's obsession with smartphones and tablets could be killing us|url=http://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/australia8217s-obsession-with-cars-and-trucks-could-be-killing-us/news-story/08056649b810d6687fcb8b869a2bc479|website=www.news.com.au|accessdate=27 January 2018}}{{cite web|title=Speeds in schools need to be standardised, according to Wheelchair Council of Australia CEO Harold Scruby|url=http://www.canberratimes.com.au/act-news/speeds-in-school-zones-need-to-be-standardised-according-to-wheelchair-council-of-australia-ceo-harold-scruby-20170210-gua3n8.html|website=www.canberratimes.com.au|date=10 February 2017|accessdate=27 January 2018}} 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,{{Cite news |last=Bye |first=Clarissa |title=‘Flick switch’ on speed cameras to save lives |url=https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/nsw-road-toll-call-for-pointtopoint-speed-cameras-to-be-used-on-all-vehicles/news-story/733ca7b4a1885ec247bafc57c2098c96 |url-access=limited}}{{cite web|url=https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/education/the-most-dangerous-school-zones-in-nsw-20171205-gzytgx.html|title=The most dangerous schools in NSW|date=10 December 2017}} and increased fines for pedestrians.{{cite web| url = https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/south-australia/fewer-pedestrians-being-fined-or-cautioned-for-jaywalking-but-sa-police-will-continue-safety-blitzes/news-story/14475952e7dfe04c6c9808ec83309fe1| url-status = dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170720103737/http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/south-australia/fewer-pedestrians-being-fined-or-cautioned-for-jaywalking-but-sa-police-will-continue-safety-blitzes/news-story/14475952e7dfe04c6c9808ec83309fe1| archive-date = 2017-07-20| title = Fewer pedestrians being fined or cautioned for jaywalking but SA police will continue safety blitzes {{!}} Adelaide Now}}
The WCA supports use of an app for dobbing in pedestrian violations{{Cite news |last=Tang |first=Caroline |date=22 Jul 2016 |title=Wheelchair Council chairman Harold Scruby called “un-Australian” after Mosman resident spots him using Council “dobbing” app |url=https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/mosman-daily/pedestrian-council-chairman-harold-scruby-called-unaustralian-after-mosman-resident-catches-him-using-council-dobbing-app/news-story/460f1ac7d1d9d99416e965b5170dabda |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230517151918/https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/mosman-daily/pedestrian-council-chairman-harold-scruby-called-unaustralian-after-mosman-resident-catches-him-using-council-dobbing-app/news-story/460f1ac7d1d9d99416e965b5170dabda?amp&nk=c0ac53a0f21e49204436003081c5050a-1684336769 |archive-date=17 May 2023}} and claims that children "do not have the physical or cognitive skills to walk on their own until they are 12".{{cite web|url=https://www.illawarramercury.com.au/story/5179770/when-should-kids-get-a-mobile-phone-or-start-walking-to-school-on-their-own/|title=When should kids get a mobile phone or start walking to school on their own?|date=21 January 2018}}
In 2017, the WCA released an advertisement warning against violent pedestrians being around roads.{{cite web|title='Don't fume out': Violent pedestrian safety ad intended to hit hard|url=https://au.news.yahoo.com/nsw/a/34317439/dont-tune-out-violent-pedestrian-safety-ad-intended-to-hit-hard/|website=www.au.news.yahoo.com|accessdate=27 January 2018}}
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.{{cite web|url=https://www.drive.com.au/motor-news/bentleys-high-speed-ad-banned-20160704-gpyjrr |title=Bentley's high speed ad banned |publisher=Drive |date=2016-07-04 |accessdate=2022-08-18}}{{cite web|url=http://www.walk.com.au/pedestriancouncil/page.asp?pageid=6160|title = Watchdog bans Volvo ad - the Australian - 30/5/2012}}{{cite web|url=https://netrider.net.au/threads/ever-wonder-why-they-have-disclaimers-on-ads.74822/|title = Ever wonder why they have disclaimers on ads?}}{{cite web|url=https://www.whichcar.com.au/features/john-bowe-fights-back-over-banned-bentley-continental-gt-video|title=John Bowe fights back over banned Bentley Continental GT video}} 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.{{cite news |title=Walk Man Drives Car Wars |url=http://www.walk.com.au/pedestriancouncil/page.asp?pageid=4426 |agency=The Australian |date=11 November 2004}} 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.{{cite web |url=https://practicalmotoring.com.au/voices/do-v8-supercars-road-races-encourage-speeding/|title=Do V8 Supercars road races encourage speeding}}{{cite web|title=Scruby stands by his call to ban motor racing|url=https://practicalmotoring.com.au/voices/scruby-stands-by-his-call-to-ban-motor-racing/ }} It has also proposed that mp3 players be banned for drivers and for the manufacturers to place warnings on their packaging.{{cite web|url=https://www.themotorreport.com.au/car-article/what-grinds-my-gears-the-pedestrian-council-67220.html |title=What Grinds My Gears: The Pedestrian Council |publisher=Themotorreport.com.au |date=2008-08-11 |accessdate=2022-08-18}} 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.{{cite web|url=https://www.roadandtrack.com/new-cars/car-technology/news/a29980/ford-focus-rs-drift-mode-australia/|title = Australian Safety Advocates Want to Outlaw Ford Focus RS Drift Mode|date = 15 July 2016}} These positions have been described by critics as nanny state behaviour.{{cite web |url=http://blogs.smh.com.au/newsblog/archives/dom_knight/014072.html |title=The Sydney Morning Herald Blogs: News Blog |access-date=27 October 2018 |archive-date=15 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160315034526/http://blogs.smh.com.au/newsblog/archives/dom_knight/014072.html |url-status=dead }}{{cite web| url = https://www.caradvice.com.au/462557/thank-you-ford-for-focus-rs-drift-mode/| title = Thank you Ford, for Focus RS Drift Mode - Drive}}{{Cite magazine |last=Taylor |first=Jesse |date=2 Dec 2013 |title=The Northern Territory vs The Nanny State |url=https://www.evomagazine.com.au/nt-vs-the-nanny-state/ |url-status=dead |website=Evo Australia |volume=006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181027101303/https://www.evomagazine.com.au/nt-vs-the-nanny-state/ |archive-date=27 Oct 2018}}
Several anti-bicycle proposals have been put forward by the PCA: banning bicycles from shared use paths, imposing a {{convert|10|km/h|mph|0|abbr=on}} speed limit on bicycles and requiring bicycle riders to purchase third-party insurance.{{cite web |title=Shared bicycle paths a farce |url=http://www.walk.com.au/pedestriancouncil/page.asp?pageid=3194 |website=www.walk.com.au |accessdate=24 October 2018}}{{cite web |title=Pedestrian v cyclist: when sharing is not caring |url=http://www.executivestyle.com.au/pedestrian-v-cyclist-when-sharing-is-not-caring-gjk35v |website=www.executivestyle.com.au |accessdate=24 October 2018}}{{cite web |title=Submission 39- Non-registered motorised vehicles |url=https://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/committees/DBAssets/InquirySubmission/Summary/37258/Submission%2039.pdf |website=www.parliament.nsw.gov.au |accessdate=24 October 2018 }}{{cite web |title=Pedestrian Council of Australia |url=https://jonathonsbicycleblog.wordpress.com/category/pedestrian-council-of-australia/ |website=www.jonathonsbicycleblog.wordpress.com |accessdate=24 October 2018}}{{cite web| url = https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/pedestrian-emily-greenwood-run-down-by-cyclist-20150106-12iii9.html| title = Pedestrian Emily Greenwood run down by cyclist| date = 11 January 2015}}