Fatigue zones are target of road campaign
Regional police officers will be targeting ‘fatigue zones’ as part of a Christmas and New Year road safety campaign aimed at raising awareness of the effects of inattention and fatigue.
Roadside checks will be carried out in areas about two hours driving distance from Perth as holidaymakers leave the metropolitan area.
Police Commissioner Karl O’Callaghan said drivers in regional WA were particularly susceptible to fatigue and fading attention.
“Driver fatigue and inattention and driver distraction are among the most difficult factors to police, yet we know they are a significant contribution factor in serious and fatal crashes,” he said.
“Making a difference this holiday break is down to you.
“Police have limited capacity to reduce the effects of fatigue and inattention.”
Police will check licenses and conduct random breath tests as part of the road safety campaign.
Speed cameras will also be moved from the metropolitan area to regional roads and multiple cameras will be used on the same roads at the same time.
Police and Road Safety Minister Liza Harvey said there would be a lot more vehicles on the road over Christmas and urged motorists to be patient.
“Rude, aggressive and risk-taking behaviour, including speeding and drink driving, is unacceptable,” she said.
“Quite simply, your actions on the road have consequences and sometimes those consequences can be tragic.
“I encourage all West Australians to be safe and drive safe.”
The double demerit period started this morning and runs until January 6.
