Dear Yanchep News Online,
The Easter long weekend has started with the loss of three lives on Western Australian roads.
This is a tragic start to what should be a time of connection and reflection.
Our thoughts are with the families, friends and communities who are now grieving lives lost far too soon.
Every fatal crash carries lifelong consequences for loved ones and for first responders who attend these confronting scenes.
WA Police acknowledge the grief being felt across the community, while remaining unequivocal in removing reckless drivers from the roads.
Every death on our roads is one too many.
Behind every statistic is a person who should still be here and a family whose lives have been changed forever.
While we recognise the profound loss being experienced this weekend, we are also very clear about our expectations of drivers.
Speeding, drink and drug driving, distraction and failure to wear seatbelts are well known risks, and they continue to cost lives on Western Australian roads.
Police are out in force across the state.
We are highly visible, highly targeted and we are actively enforcing the law.
If you choose to take risks, you should expect to be detected and dealt with.
Every decision made behind the wheel matters.
Those decisions determine whether you arrive home safely or whether police are left delivering devastating news to a family.
That responsibility must be taken seriously by every driver.
Double demerits are in place to save lives.
They exist because the consequences of unsafe driving are severe and irreversible.
Enforcement saves lives and we will not apologise for holding people to account.
Meanwhile, police officers continue to see dangerous and irresponsible behaviour on the roads.
A 17-year-old male from Butler was charged with Reckless Driving Speed of 155 km/h or more after he allegedly drove a vehicle at 177km/h in a 70km/h zone on Shenton Ave, Connolly, about 11.30am on Wednesday, April 1.
The vehicle was impounded and he is due to appear before the Joondalup Children’s Court on Tuesday, April 14.
A 31-year-old man from High Wycombe is facing charges after he allegedly rode a motorcycle on Beechboro Rd North about 6.20 pm on Thursday, April 2.
The motorcycle was detected travelling at 166km/h in a 70km/h zone.
Drivers can expect ongoing targeted operations, including speed enforcement, random breath testing and drug testing, at all times of the day and night.
Enforcement activity remains a priority for WA Police.
Mike Peters
Road Policing Command commander
