WA Police Issue Stern Easter Warning Amid Traffic Chaos and Double Demerits
Western Australian authorities have delivered a forceful message to motorists as the Easter long weekend begins, with double demerit penalties now in effect and heavy traffic already causing significant delays across Perth's major road networks.
Traffic Gridlock Hits Perth Roads
Commuters flooded out of Perth on Thursday evening, creating bumper-to-bumper conditions that persisted well into the night. The Kwinana Freeway experienced crawling traffic in both directions until after 6:30pm as travelers sought to get an early start on their holiday plans.
The weekend began disastrously for some motorists with multiple serious crashes causing major disruptions. Albany Highway eastbound at Admiral Road closed around 5pm following a serious collision, creating chaos for commuters attempting to begin their journeys early.
Earlier in the afternoon, a crash on the freeway southbound at Manning Road in Como caused significant traffic mayhem for city residents heading south for the Easter break. The incident forced the closure of the right lane, bringing traffic to a virtual standstill.
Another collision in West Perth created congestion for motorists traveling east on the Graham Farmer Freeway. Reported at 4:02pm, this crash also necessitated the shutdown of the right lane, further compounding the evening's traffic problems.
Double Demerit Penalties Now Active
The harsher penalty period commenced on Thursday and will continue through until the end of Monday, dramatically increasing consequences for traffic violations. During this period, speeding penalties rise to a maximum of 14 demerit points, while using a mobile phone while driving carries an eight-point penalty.
First-time offenders caught drink driving with a blood alcohol concentration below 0.08 will face 10 demerit points. However, anyone recorded at 0.08 or above, or those not facing their first offense, will be required to appear in court for their violations.
Police Presence Intensified Across WA
Road Safety Minister Reece Whitby confirmed that police would maintain a heavy presence throughout the weekend to monitor all travelers. "Last Easter we had five Western Australians die on our roads, the Easter before that the figure was six," Minister Whitby stated. "We want this to be a zero Easter road toll. We're going all out to achieve that, every available police officer will be on the road."
The minister emphasized that police concentration would focus on what authorities term the "arc of influence" around Perth extending into regional areas where significant road usage is anticipated.
New Police Vehicles Deployed
Police resources have been bolstered by the introduction of a new fleet of specialized law enforcement vehicles. Four BMW X5 "authority pack" cars, valued at $130,000 each, have been deployed this weekend. These vehicles offer improved driving performance compared to previous police fleets.
Community Urged to Make Responsible Choices
Road Policing Commander Mike Peters delivered a clear directive to those planning to travel during the holiday period. "This weekend, can I ask the community to make good choices, to not be selfish, to think about other road users, to be patient and focused on the task," Commander Peters urged.
The commander emphasized that driving privileges come with significant responsibility. "Having a motor driver's licence is not a gift, it's actually something that you have to work for and work hard to get, and it can be taken away quite quickly during a double demerit point period," he explained.
Commander Peters warned that even minor speeding violations could have catastrophic consequences. "The difference between zero and five kilometres over can be the difference between people getting out of the car and exchanging details to people not getting out of the car and being cut out of a car," he stated.
"Or even worse, being taken to hospital or a morgue because they didn't survive the crash, it's as simple as that," the commander added, highlighting the potentially fatal outcomes of seemingly minor traffic infractions.
