Two new safety cameras to be stationed in Great Southern to catch dangerous driving, first in regional rollout

The State Government rolled out two high-tech safety cameras in Albany last week as part of a crackdown on road safety offences. The new cameras will be rotated around the Great Southern region, and come after the success of four safety cameras operating on Perth metropolitan roads since January, which detected more than 100,000 mobile phone and seat belt offences. Police and Road Safety Minister Reece Whitby was in Albany last Wednesday to launch the two new cameras in the region, which will act as the first phase of the cameras being rolled out in regional WA, followed by the Mid West. He called the new cameras the “most advanced in the nation”, and said initial observations from the metro cameras found the amount of offending was falling. “When people find out that they are being captured by these cameras, we want them to change their ways,” he said. “We want to change behaviour and attitudes to driving, and we’ve seen incredible photographs of people with mobile phones on their lap, but also laptop computers, even infants. “That’s the kind of behaviour that these new safety cameras can capture.” Drivers who are caught breaking road rules will first be issued a written warning, then a fine on the next offence. Mr Whitby said the idea behind the warning period was to give motorists the opportunity to do the right thing. “The message we want to get out to drivers is that we want you to do the right thing,” he said. “We want you to be safety-conscious, not because you’re afraid of getting caught and paying a fine, but because you know it’s the right thing to do for yourself, for your own welfare and the welfare of your loved ones and other road users. “The three simple messages I want to make to all motorists right across WA and in the regions is to put the phone down, buckle up, and stick to the speed limit. “Do those things, and these devices will not be issuing you a fine.” The new cameras are funded through the Road Trauma Trust Account, which will allocate 100 per cent of safety camera infringements to projects that work to reduce injuries and deaths on WA roads.