Under the State Government’s changes, police will be given the power to automatically impound vehicles involved in hooning offences for seven days for the first offence, and 28 days for subsequent offences. Seatbelt penalties are also increasing. According to Mr Carpenter, the new penalties are a direct result of last year’s horror road toll of 235 fatalities, with failure to wear a seatbelt deemed to be a major contributing factor in 63 deaths.
Other changes include penalty increases for drivers using hand-held mobile phones to fines of $250 and three demerit points, increased penalties for drivers who speed by more than 20kmh, increased court-imposed penalties for reckless driving, further enhancements to the State’s Driver Reviver Program and the expansion of the regional road safety message signage program.
Community Safety Minister John Kobelke said the new measures would be further enhanced by the State’s new road safety strategy, currently being finalised by the Road Safety Council and due for release later this year. “These changes should be a strong warning to all WA road users that there are responsibilities directly connected to driving and they must adhere to them,” Mr Kobelke said.
View WA’s Road Safety Initiatives here.
