Police target safety this Christmas

Police are promising a strong presence on the roads in a bid to have a fatality free festive season.

And they are asking the “majority of good drivers” to keep driving safely while they deal with the minority who are not.

The South Western Times and South West Police are joining forces to help make the roads safer this Christmas.

South West Traffic will follow the WA Police’s State Christmas campaign, Operation Crossroads, which will focus on the five causes of crashes — drink-driving, speeding, not wearing a seat belt, fatigue and distraction.

Traffic officers will have a number of operations over the next few weeks to help make the roads safer this Christmas.

Texting bays which were successful during leavers’ week will again be used.

This is a tactic which helps drivers avoid being distracted on long journeys.

Police will also be advertising and monitoring locations from previous serious crashes.

Insp. Pete Davies, who will be writing a column for the Times during the festive period, said a number of marked and unmarked cars would be on the road.

He said most drivers did the right thing, but sent out a warning to those who were repeatedly unsafe on the roads.

“Our efforts will be focussed on keeping people safe,” Insp. Davies said.

“If people want to do the wrong thing, we will be there to deal with them.”

Officers will be patrolling areas known to be used by drink-drivers.

They will also advertise a phone number to report dangerous drivers and will have contingencies in place to intercept them.

Meanwhile, people who will be travelling from Perth to the South West will see more police officers on the road.

People are also being asked to help with the campaign by not distracting those, including friends and family, who they know are driving long distances.

This means not distracting them by calling, but instead organising a plan for them to ring when they have arrived at their location.

They can also consider buying Christmas presents which will promote safe driving, such as a hands-free kit for the car.

Over the next few weeks the Times will be reporting on the efforts of police in patrolling South West roads.