WA ROAD TOLL HIGHEST LEVEL IN A DECADE, AS POLICE URGE DRIVERS TO TAKE CARE
WARNING: This report includes details of fatal road crashes across Western Australia that may distress some readers.
By Daniel Burdon
More people have died on Western Australia’s roads this year than the same period of any year in the past decade, with more than half of all fatal crashes occurring on regional and remote roads.
The state’s official road toll reached 167 fatalities on Tuesday, after a series of nine fatal crashes in eight days pushed the road toll to its highest in a decade for the year to date.
The growing toll has WA Police’s top crash investigator warning drivers about fatigue, the need for seatbelts and unsafe overtaking.
The latest Road Safety Commission data released in October showed the number of fatalities on WA roads for the year was higher than the same point last year, and 37 deaths above the five-year average of 130 for the same period.
AN “UNFORTUNATELY TRAGIC” PAST TWO WEEKS
Speaking to Ngaarda Media on Tuesday, Detective Senior Sergeant Hugh LeTessier, Officer in Charge of WA Police’s Major Crash Investigations Section, described a particularly difficult period for investigators.
“We had nine crashes in the last seven to eight days, which is very high… It has been a particularly busy and unfortunately tragic last two weeks.”
Det Snr Sgt LeTessier said recurring factors investigated in serious crashes included speed, a lack of attention, fatigue and in many crashes, an avoidable failure to wear seatbelts.
He said many crashes involved circumstances that drivers could take action to prevent, including stopping when they became too tired to continue safely.
“If you are in a situation where you’re driving and you feel that you’re not capable of driving, you’re falling asleep, people have the ability to pull over,” he said.
“That quite often can save a crash and often a tragedy.”
“A FEW MINUTES…IS A SMALL PRICE TO PAY”
For Pilbara motorists sharing highways with road trains and other heavy vehicles, his strongest advice was to be patient.
He said frustration at being held up could lead drivers to attempt overtaking road trains unsafely, and lose control or collide with an oncoming vehicle.
“The one thing I would say is to be patient,” he said.
“The potential consequences … can be quite catastrophic.”
Det Snr Sgt LeTessier said arriving a few minutes later was a small price to pay for avoiding a dangerous decision.
SEATBELTS “ABSOLUTELY” SAVE LIVES
He also said two fatal crashes in regional WA in the week before the interview had involved drivers who were not wearing seatbelts.
“Seatbelts are such a crucial factor in safety and survivability in a road crash,” he said.
“Seatbelts save lives and they absolutely do.”
On fatigue, he urged motorists to recognise warning signs and stop somewhere safe, describing a short nap as a decision drivers would be unlikely to regret.
BE AWARE OF THE WARNING SIGNS
He said especially if people are driving and can’t remember the last few seconds of a journey - it was a clear warning to stop driving.
“That’s the time when you have to stop and pull over,” he said.
“And you won’t regret doing that.”
Det Snr Sgt LeTessier also urged drivers to watch the behaviour of approaching vehicles, saying people doing everything right could still become caught up in a serious crash caused by another road user.
“Just be aware of what everyone else is doing on the road, not just yourself,” he said.
While police patrols and major advertising campaigns helped reinforce road safety messages, Det Snr Sgt LeTessier said officers could not be everywhere at all times.
His message was for drivers to pay attention, monitor their fatigue, avoid speeding and ensure everyone in the vehicle was properly restrained. Det Snr Sgt LeTessier urged drivers to,
“Make sure all of your passengers and everyone in your car is wearing seatbelts and are well restrained.”
If you or someone you know needs support, help is available.
For help, or just to talk to someone privately, call Lifeline on 13 11 44, 13 YARN on 13 92 76, or the Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800.