- Penalties for mobile phone, seatbelt and speeding offences detected by new safety cameras start today
- More than 380,000 offences have been detected during an eight-month caution notice period
- Repeat offenders could lose their licence before Christmas if they don't change their behaviour
- All infringement penalties are allocated to the Road Trauma Trust Account to projects and programs to improve safety on WA roads
From today, October 8, seatbelt, mobile phone and speeding offences detected by the State's fixed and trailer-mounted safety cameras will result in fines and demerit points for offenders.
This marks the end of an eight-month caution notice period, as the State transitions from warnings to enforcement.
During this period, six safety camera trailers and fixed cameras on the Kwinana Freeway detected more than 380,000 offences, including:
- 26,800 people not wearing a seatbelt;
- more than 88,000 not wearing their seatbelt correctly;
- close to 97,000 with a mobile phone in their hand while driving;
- 61,000 with a mobile illegally resting on another part of their body such as their lap or shoulder; and
- 100,000 speeding offences.
More than 65,000 caution notices have been issued, giving drivers an opportunity to change their dangerous driving behaviours without penalties.
The caution notice period has been supported by extensive media coverage, community partnerships and a statewide awareness campaign across TV, radio, print, digital, social media and roadside billboard channels which will continue to run until October 31.
The purpose of the caution notice period was to allow drivers to adjust their behaviour without immediate fines and demerits, while educating and building awareness of the new technology.
To effectively cover the vast geographical area of our State, a hub model for safety camera deployment is being used. Two safety camera trailers are based at hubs established in the Perth metropolitan, Great Southern and Mid West regions.
In time, safety camera deployments will be undertaken in all parts of WA, with bases established across the State.
The safety camera program is funded through the Road Trauma Trust Account, which sees 100 per cent of safety camera infringements allocated to projects and programs which reduce injuries and deaths on WA roads.
For more information about the safety camera program, visit https://www.wa.gov.au/organisation/road-safety-commission/safety-cameras
As stated by Road Safety Minister Reece Whitby:
"After eight months of warnings, it's pleasing to see some drivers have changed their dangerous behaviours behind the wheel, shown by a decrease in detected offending, but for others, penalties are necessary to prompt change.
"While enforcement starts today, education and awareness will not stop. Saving lives, ensuring our roads are safe and changing behaviour are our priorities.
"Every time you get behind the wheel, you make choices that could mean life or death, not just for you, but for someone's child, parent, partner or friend.
"You don't need a fine or a camera to tell you what's right. Slow down, wear your seatbelt properly, and leave the phone alone."
As stated by Minister Assisting the Minister for Transport Jessica Stojkovski:
"From today, these new road safety cameras will provide another layer of protection for WA motorists, helping to prevent dangerous driver behaviour that can lead to injuries and deaths on our roads.
"After eight months of warnings and opportunities for drivers to change their habits, those using mobile phones, not wearing seat belts or engaging in other dangerous behaviour can now expect to be caught and fined.
"This initiative is just one of a series of measures the Cook Labor Government is undertaking to keep Western Australians safe on our roads."
