The Public Security Police (PSP) is urging wheelchair users to comply with traffic rules applicable to pedestrians.
In a statement on Monday, the police said that according to the Road Traffic Law, wheelchair users should obey all the rules applicable to pedestrians, which means that they “should always use pavements and should not travel on the road in their wheelchairs, and should always use pedestrian-crossing facilities and not jaywalk”.
According to Article 71 of the Road Traffic Law, all rules listed in the law for pedestrians are also applicable to those pulling or pushing a trolley, a bicycle, a tricycle, a pushchair (or pram), or a travelling facility used by people with disabilities. In addition, the rules for pedestrians are also applicable to those travelling in a wheelchair.
The PSP statement urged wheelchair users to travel around the city in strict compliance with traffic rules and in a safe manner.
The statement came after a 74-year-old local man jaywalking in his electric wheelchair was hit by a taxi in Areia Preta district on Sunday.
According to a police announcement on Sunday, the accident occurred in Estrada Marginal do Hipódromo (馬場海邊馬路) when the taxi hit the wheelchair “which was moving along the road”.
Sunday’s police announcement said that the wheelchair user will be fined for jaywalking, while the cabbie will be fined for failing to drive at an “appropriate” speed allowing the driver to brake in time in case of the appearance of obstacles in front.
