Latest statistics reveal how Perth drivers are putting their lives, and others, at risk.
- Safety Cameras catch 60,000 drivers for using mobiles, not wearing seatbelts.
- Plea for motorists to wear their seatbelts properly and correctly restrain children.
- Timely reminder for drivers ahead of the school holidays to take ownership on the road.
More than 60,000 people have been caught using their mobile phone, not wearing a seatbelt or wearing it incorrectly since new safety cameras were turned on in January, the Road Safety Commission can reveal.
Amongst the most disturbing are the images of babies and children unrestrained in front seats.
Of those captured, 20,000 were not wearing seatbelts correctly, almost 6000 had no seatbelt on at all and 22,000 had their phone in their hands.
An additional 12,000 had their phones in their laps – also a finable offence.
Road Safety Commissioner Adrian Warner said the images sent a clear message about the need to change cultural attitudes around road safety responsibility.
“What we are seeing is evidence that together as a society, we need to take ownership of road safety every time we get behind the wheel,” he said.
“Quite frankly what we’re seeing has been truly disturbing and upsetting – children and babies unrestrained in front seat, people bypassing seatbelt alarms by jerry rigging the driver’s buckle, use of laptops while driving at high speeds.
“If you think this message doesn’t apply to you, please think again, the power to reduce the road toll lies in all our hands.”
With double demerits coming into effect today ahead of the Easter long weekend, Warner said the images were a timely reminder to actively plan for a safe trip.
“The fear of getting caught shouldn’t be your key reason to drive safe – Keep yourself, your family and other road users safe,” he said.
“Don’t put your desire to arrive quickly ahead of your need to arrive alive.”
In 2024, five people lost their lives on WA roads over the Easter long weekend – In perspective, ten people died on WA roads during the same period collectively in the five years before that.
“The Road Safety Commission, together with WA Police and the Road Safety Minister are committed to targeting poor driver behaviour through behavioural change campaigns and new initiatives like the fixed and mobile safety cameras – but we need the community to wake-up and realise they are part of the solution.”
