SW top cop’s passionate plea

The South West’s top cop is pleading for safety on the region’s roads ahead of Christmas celebrations this weekend.

As thousands of holiday-makers are still expected to hit the road to spend time with their loved ones, Supt Mick Sutherland is calling on road users to think about the possibility of a vacant seat at the table this Christmas.

“It’s all about family and friends,” Supt Sutherland said.

“Police can harp on about ‘don’t drink and drive’ and all that, but at the end of the day it’s about people’s own responsibilities.

“Have a good think about the vacant seat that could be at your Christmas table this year and think about it constantly.”

The warning follows a horrific year on the State’s roads, with 187 deaths including 116 on regional roads — 23 of those in the South West.

The RAC this week assembled a 184-seat, 45m Christmas table at Elizabeth Quay in Perth as a stark reminder and visual display of the lives that have been lost on WA roads during 2016.

Supt Sutherland said driver behaviour and the “big ticket” items of distraction and concentration needed to remain a focus.