WA drivers have been called on to show care and consideration for one another on the roads this festive season as police commence their State-wide Traffic blitz.
A joint effort between the police and the Minister for Police and Road Safety, Michelle Roberts, the State’s traffic enforcement operations are being ramped up with additional police resources and extra overtime approved for the festive period.
According to Ms Roberts, police will be patrolling arterial routes linked to holiday destinations in regional WA and in the metropolitan area and will deploy “lockdown’s” utilising drug and booze bus operations.
Both marked and unmarked traffic vehicles, along with covert police motorbikes will target speeding, seatbelt offences and drivers using their mobile phones.
Ms Roberts said the Government wanted all Western Australians to travel safely and enjoy time with their family and friends during the festive season.
“There will be a big police presence throughout the State, but let us all show some courtesy, consideration and care on the roads this holiday season,” Ms Roberts said.
“Whilst we regularly hear about the people killed on WA roads, hundreds more are injured every year.”
She said the stories from Ben and Paul in the Life Toll campaign were real and they were so brave.
“I hope it might make people pause for a moment and be that little more patient, tolerant and courteous to other road users,” Ms Roberts said.
“Let’s try and save other West Australian road users and their families from the shocking impact of road trauma this Christmas.”
She said the double demerit point period was due to begin at midnight tonight (17 December) and run until 3 January.
The Minister also launched a new campaign designed to put a face to the thousands of people who suffer serious and lifelong injuries from road trauma each year.
She said the Life Toll campaign will run in the media across the Christmas and New Year period and feature stories from people who sustained life-altering injuries due to simple mistakes on the roads.
