Outback road blitz pays off

Story by Tricia Duffield

Statistics for the Central North Police District traffic blitz over the Labour Day long weekend show drivers on our roads have behaved more responsibly than those in metro areas.

Commander of the Central North Police District, Superintendent Gerard Lawson, said there had been more than 1500 random breath tests up until Monday, with no positive tests for alcohol and six positive drug tests.

Across the state, the statistics paint a different picture with more than 11,000 total traffic infringement notices, including 3,823 speeding offences, 248 drink driving offences, 444 police roadside drug tests and 287 mobile phone violations.

Supt Lawson said that police have been enforcing the traffic rules and especially those particular risk factors that can often lead in tragedy, like not wearing seatbelts, using phones, driving while fatigued, and driving while impaired by drugs or alcohol.

“It’s generally been a good weekend, but there are still some people who aren’t listening to that message,” Superintendent Lawson said.

“The police are out all the time, watching for driving behaviour and trying to correct where it’s necessary, all with the aim of making sure that we keep the roads safe for everybody.”

Supt Lawson said that police are always looking at driver behaviour because they worry about the road toll.

“Tragically, over this weekend, two people lost their lives which is two too many,” he said, but thankfully the Western Region has had no fatalities”.[…}

Read local news and see more photos in the printed edition of The Western Herald. To subscribe call (02) 6872 2333 today and receive The Western Herald in your letterbox next week or purchase and download a digital edition https://www.outbackradio.com.au/shop/