New cameras bust bad drivers
Motorists will have double the reasons to behave on the State’s roads this long weekend with double demerits in force and new long-range cameras being introduced to catch-out miscreant drivers.
The new cameras can detect unsuspecting motorists who are speeding, not wearing seatbelts or operating mobile devices from a distance of 700 metres away.
Police Commissioner Karl O’Callaghan said the device would be used for the first time during a long weekend when double demerit point penalties applied.
“If you are speeding, not wearing a seatbelt and using a mobile phone during this period, it’s quite possible you will lose your licence in the one event,” he said.
“With the long-range of this camera, you may not even realise you are being watched until you are flagged down by one of our traffic officers.”
Sgt Jason Mora uses the police's new online camera on the Powis Street footbridge. Picture: Bill Hatto/The West Australian.
The first operational deployment of the camera over two hours last Thursday on Great Eastern Highway in Greenmount resulted in:
• Six speed detections;
• Seven fail to wear seatbelts;
• Eight illegal U-turns at traffic control light intersections, and;
• One motorist who had no licence.
“That deployment detected an average of one offence every five minutes,” Mr O’Callaghan said.
“These driving behaviours – speeding, failure to wear seatbelts and operating a mobile phone while driving – can result in serious injury and death.”
Sgt Jason Mora and Snr Const Jen Robinson (left) operate the new long range camera on the Powis St footbridge in a bid to catch people using mobile phones ahead of the coming long weekend. Picture: Bill Hatto/The West Australian.
