WA Police have some new vehicles hitting the road over the Easter long-weekend double-demerit period.
Four BMW X5 class-one patrol vehicles will be deployed to the highway patrol for extended regional highway patrols, with an additional three destined for the road policing group in the metropolitan area.
Today the Cook Government said the enhanced visibility and advanced technology incorporated into the fleet would support police officers in keeping Western Australian roads safer.
In a statement the government said Easter was traditionally a challenging period for road safety in WA with thousands of holiday makers taking to the roads.
“Tragically, five people lost their lives during the Easter double demerit period last year and six the year before,’’ the statement said.
“Since January 1, 25 people in motor vehicles, 14 motorcyclists and six pedestrians have lost their lives in fatal road crashes.
“Of those, 27 deaths have been on regional roads.
“The fatal five – speeding, seatbelts, fatigue, distraction and drugs and alcohol – are preventable causes of road trauma.’’
Police and Road Safety Minister Reece Whitby wanted to remind all road users to keep themselves and others safe on the road during the long weekend and school holidays.
“Incorrectly worn seatbelts, distractions from mobile phones, speeding, fatigue and drugs and alcohol are all preventable causes of fatal crashes,’’ he said.
“I urge all West Australians this Easter and school holidays, to stop and think about what they can do to make every journey safe.”
Road policing commander Mike Peters said the BMW X5 was a fit-for-purpose tool that met the operational and safety demands of modern policing.
“Our officers spend extended periods patrolling the community and it’s important that they have a safe, reliable and comfortable workplace that allows them to remain focused and effective,’’ he said.
“Expect to see these vehicles more frequently on our roads as they are deployed across a range of frontline duties.”
Double demerits will apply to infringements over the Easter long weekend from Thursday, April 2 to Monday, April 6.
