Quinns Rocks Sports Club reaps reward for road safety message

The club has been rewarded for their road safety initiatives for members, winning the $10,000 Road Safety Award at the Clubs WA 2019 Awards for Excellence.

The award is sponsored by Clubs WA and supported by the Road Safety Commission (Commission).

Quinns Rocks Sports Club showed excellent initiative when it held a road safety event in February as part of Clubs WA 'Safety in numbers, look out for each other' program.

As well as bike safety checks, a road rules awareness course for children and highlighting road rules on minimum passing distances for cyclists, the club came up with a novel and engaging way of showing the dangers of driver distraction with a 'blind man's bluff' challenge.

Entrants had to walk, blindfolded, along a 33m white line set down through the middle of the club – and without spilling a drink.

The line represented the 33m a vehicle going 60 km/h covers when a driver is distracted such as looking at their phone for two seconds.

Cycling club president Chris Howard said the February event had gone a long way to raising road safety issue awareness for drivers and cyclists alike and had broken down much of the 'us and them' mentality of road use.

Police and Road Safety Minister the Hon. Michelle Roberts presented the prize at the Clubs WA Awards for Excellence night held at Crown Perth on June 29.

Road Safety Commission Acting Commissioner Simon Grieve, Commission Assistant Director Communication and Engagement Roger Farley and Commission Engagement Officer Vicki Leavy also attended the awards night.