More than 60,000 drivers have been caught breaking basic road rules in Perth since January, and the footage is raising serious concerns ahead of the busy Easter holiday period.
New safety cameras across WA have captured people texting behind the wheel, using laptops at high speeds, bypassing seatbelt alarms, and most alarming of all, driving with unrestrained babies and children in the front seat.
The Road Safety Commission has revealed that of the thousands caught, 22,000 had their phones in their hands, nearly 6,000 weren’t wearing seatbelts at all, and 20,000 were wearing them incorrectly. Another 12,000 had their phones resting on their laps or bodies, which is also a fineable offence.
Road Safety Commissioner Adrian Warner said the images show a troubling reality of everyday driving habits in WA.
“What we’re seeing is disturbing,” Mr Warner said. “Children unrestrained in the front seat, people using laptops, and drivers going to extreme lengths to silence seatbelt alarms.”
“These are not small mistakes. They are dangerous behaviours that put lives at risk.”
With double demerits kicking in today for the Easter long weekend, Warner said the timing of the findings couldn’t be more critical.
“Five people died on WA roads over Easter last year,” he said. “That’s five families whose lives changed forever.”
He urged drivers not to rely on fear of fines but to take personal responsibility for their safety — and the safety of others.
“The truth is, most road deaths happen on high-speed roads,” he said. “In the past decade, 60 percent of fatal crashes occurred in regional areas. And three-quarters of those were on roads with speed limits of 100km/h or more.”
Mr Warner said a cultural shift in attitude was needed.
“Every one of us plays a part. It’s time we stop accepting ‘just a little bit’ of speeding or distraction. We need to plan ahead and make arriving alive the priority.”
The Road Safety Commission, WA Police, and the Road Safety Minister say they remain committed to reducing the road toll, but they need the community’s help to do it.
