27/09/2012
NOTE - DOUBLE DEMERIT POINTS APPLY FROM MIDNIGHT TONIGHT LEADING INTO FRIDAY 28 SEPTEMBER AND ENDING MIDNIGHT LEADING INTO TUESDAY 2 OCTOBER 2012
To encourage safe driving behaviour during the Queen’s Birthday long weekend, drivers will incur double demerit points if caught:
- drink or drug driving
- speeding
- failing to wear a seat belt or child car restraint
- carrying passengers in the open load space of a vehicle.
“Road safety is a shared responsibility – let’s work together towards zero deaths and serious injuries,” Independent Chair of the Road Safety Council, Professor Holman said.
“The long weekend paired with the AFL grand final, Royal Show and school holidays will no doubt mean more social occasions across the State - every person deserves to arrive home or at their destination safely.
“I’m asking every road user in WA to make it their personal mission to do what they can to ensure this happens.”
The Road Safety Council is reminding drivers that if you plan to drive, plan not to drink. Stick to the speed limit and make your journey a safe and enjoyable one.
“Double demerits work to help curb risk taking behaviour which is important, but we all need to aware of the smaller risks which are just as deadly,” Professor Holman said.
“Drivers are reminded that there is no such as safe speeding - even going 5km/h over the limit will double your crash risk - as will having a blood alcohol concentrate of 0.05.”
On average, around 65 people are killed on Western Australian roads each year because of speeding-related crashes, with a further 410 people suffering life changing serious injuries.
Furthermore, alcohol is currently a factor in almost a third of crashes in which people are killed and seriously injured.
“This is a stark reminder that not only is the risk not worth the demerits and monetary fines; any loss of life on our roads is senseless,” Professor Holman said.
ENDS
Media contact:
Elizabeth Jones, Office of Road Safety – 0417 939 743