Labor argues against Segways in Qld Parliament

THE story of a Segway tycoon plunging to his death from a cliff on one of his own scooters was among the documents Labor tabled in Queensland Parliament.

Transport Minister Scott Emerson said disallowing the legislation would also negatively affect young Queensland drivers in rural and regional areas. Picture: Tom Huntley

THE Daily Mail story of a millionaire Segway tycoon plunging to his death from a cliff on one of his own scooters was among the documents Labor tabled in Queensland Parliament to support its argument against the motorised transport.

They also tabled a Time magazine article, titled The 50 Worst Inventions, with the Segway listed as number one of 50 - beating New Coke, Agent Orange, tanning beds and asbestos.

South Brisbane MP Jackie Trad said, in unsuccessfully seeking to reverse the legislation allowing Segways, they were "an expensive, unnecessary novelty item" which compromised safety on Queensland's footpaths.

She said the legislation was born from a single letter from a Southbank tourism operator and the Premier had "a light bulb moment" without considering safety issues.

Warrego MP Howard Hobbs said for Segways out west "it would be a long drive" but he could see their value in urban settings.

"You can hop on a skateboard, you can hop on a rollerblade ... I think they might be a little more dangerous than a Segway," he said.

"You can climb a tree, and it can be more dangerous."

Gaven MP Alex Douglas, speaking in favour of the motion, said there were 62 fatalities from mobility scooters between July, 2000, and August, 2010, the majority involving people less than 60 years of age.

He said there were 442 motorised mobility scooter fall injury hospitalisations in Australia between 2006 and 2008.

"Members should remember that not all of these people were geriatrics, blind or incapable," he said.

Transport Minister Scott Emerson said disallowing the legislation would also negatively affect young Queensland drivers in rural and regional areas.

He said changes related to the same legislation meant P-plate drivers less than 25 years were no longer prohibited from driving high-powered vehicles needed in the agricultural sector.

"Many people would know that the key vehicle type ... that is used, is the V8 Toyota LandCruiser," he said.

"It is not considered a high-powered vehicle, but the reality is that, because of the laws that are in place, P-plate drivers involved in the agricultural sector were prohibited from driving them."

P-plate drivers less than 25 years can already drive V8 Toyota Landcruisers fast-tracked changes but other high-powered vehicles can be driven from January 1, 2014, based on a weight to power ratio instead of ruling out all eight-cylinder vehicles.

Ms Trad's disallowance motion did not succeed.