Western Australia’s Weekend Road Toll Hits Shocking Seven Fatalities in Just Two Days
In a tragic weekend, seven lives were lost in separate crashes across Western Australia, marking the state’s highest road toll in nearly a decade.
Western Australia, Road Safety, Fatalities, Accidents, Mike Bell, Roger Cook
Perth: Over the weekend, seven people tragically lost their lives in different car accidents across Western Australia. This surge in fatalities has pushed the state’s road toll to its highest level in almost ten years.
So far this year, 173 people have died on WA roads. That’s the most since 2016, when 179 fatalities were recorded. Authorities are worried that the number could rise even more before the year wraps up.
One of the victims was a woman in her 50s who died in a crash in the Wheatbelt area. Two cars collided and rolled over in Nippering on Saturday, leading to this heartbreaking loss.
WA Police Road Commander Mike Bell is sounding the alarm, especially with Christmas just around the corner. He’s urging everyone to be extra careful on the roads.
“Think about speed, fatigue, and distractions,” he said. “These factors seem to be involved in many of the crashes, although investigations are still ongoing.”
In the past two weekends, police caught over 100 drivers in Perth who tested positive for alcohol or drugs. This raises serious concerns about how some folks view risky behavior behind the wheel.
Commander Bell emphasized the need for a change in attitudes towards road safety. During a recent lockdown at a casino, they found 64 positive breath tests and six positive drug wipes in just ten hours.
Premier Roger Cook also weighed in, urging drivers to stay safe on the roads, especially with the holiday season approaching. He reminded everyone that many families will be missing loved ones this Christmas due to these tragic accidents.
“We all need to make smart and safe choices to protect ourselves and others,” he said. It’s a tough reminder of the importance of road safety during this busy time of year.