P-platers must make right choices: police

South West police have called out for probationary drivers to obey the road rules following a number of excess speeds detected on South West roads.

South West Traffic Division coordinator Sgt Mark Smith said there had been four probationary drivers caught at high speeds recently.

A speed camera caught a P-plater doing 204kmh on the Coalfields Highway recently and a patrol car caught two P-plater cars travelling at 130kmh in an 80kmh speed zone on the Bussell Highway.

A P-plate driver was pulled over by a patrol car on the South Western Highway after their speed detector caught him travelling at 140kmh in a 110kmh speed zone and he was recorded driving with an blood alcohol limit in excess of 0.08.

Sgt Smith said any road user travelling at such high speeds was a risk to the community.

‘‘One of the strongest messages we have been sending is the importance of making the right choices,’’ he said.

‘‘When we detect a probationary driver exceeding the speed limit or drink-driving it is concerning.’’

Sgt Smith said any probationary driver caught doing excessive speeds meant an automatic cancellation of their licence and a substantial fine and they then had to reapply for their learners permit.

‘‘Road policing in our region is very important and we have a commitment to the community to police the roads and catch those making the wrong decisions,’’ he said.

‘‘By making the wrong choices you put not just your life at risk but others lives too.’’