Road safety over the Christmas period is top of mind for local MP Mia Davies who is urging everyone to slow down and stay safe.
Ms Davies said she was getting behind the RoadWise and WALGA Road Ribbon for Road Safety campaign, which runs from 17 November 2019 to 3 January 2020.
In 2019 to date 17 fatalities had occurred in the Wheatbelt, a figure that was lower than previous years but still too high.
“Despite road fatalities decreasing over the past few decades, one death is too many,’ she said.
“There needs to be a concerted effort by all to put safety first at a time regional roads are at their busiest for the year.
“To lose loved ones, friends and community members for an avoidable reason is a tragedy and the ripple effects of a death or serious incident go far beyond the immediate family.’
Ms Davies said she wanted all road users in the Central Wheatbelt to arrive safely and in one piece this festive season.
The Nationals WA road safety spokesperson Martin Aldridge said all road users had a shared responsibility to obey road rules, manage fatigue and driver distraction to ensure everyone arrives at their destination safely.
“Road Safety Commission statistics show in 2019 to date there have been more than 80 fatalities in regional Western Australia,” Mr Aldridge said.
“Unfortunately these account for more than half of all deaths recorded on our State’s roads.
“Despite being on track for a reduction in road fatalities this year, there is never a moment for complacency.
“By making safe choices we can save lives and prevent serious injuries or death on our roads, so join us getting behind the Ribbon for Road Safety campaign in 2019-20.
Over the course of the ‘Toward Zero’ road safety strategy introduced in 2008, WA has recorded a 27 per cent drop in people killed or seriously injured on WA roads.
The strategy’s goal is to reach a 40 per cent decline by the end of 2020.
