Police across the west will be out in force this weekend of footy finals ‘fever’ as part of a statewide blitz to cut the road toll.
Operation Scoreboard starts Thursday and winds up on Sunday.
Road policing adviser Ross Burbidge said officers would be looking for driving influenced by alcohol or drugs, distraction offences such as using mobile phones, and seatbelt security.
Police will hit the west’s roads en masse in both marked and unmarked vehicles, particularly on the major arterials.
Traffic camera vehicles will also be rostered to roads identified as high-collision hot- spots.
“Road trauma isn’t just about the people who die,” Senior Sergeant Burbridge said.
“It’s about the enormous impact on the community, from the family members to the emergency service workers who have to deal with these tragedies on a daily basis, to the police who have to deliver the devastating news to loved ones.
“Police intelligence over the past three months shows that speed and alcohol and drug driving were among the leading causes of road trauma in this state.
“All of the community has a responsibility and a role to play in reducing road trauma.”
RoadSafe Westgate Community Road Safety Council chairman Jim Giddings said drivers travelling over the long weekend should plan to include frequent breaks.
He cautioned drivers to be patient.
“It’s been demonstrated time after time that speed is a contributing factor in most road crashes,” Mr Giddings said.
“So stay within the speed limit and drive to suit the conditions.
“Speeding affects both the risk of a crash happening and the severity of injuries sustained when a crash does happen.”
