South West police lament poor road behaviour as 24 infringements issued in four hours

Frustrated Collie police have issued 24 driving infringements in just four hours on the Coalfields Highway last Monday in rainy conditions. The traffic blitz was part of a five-day campaign in Collie aimed at improving road and community safety. Several drivers were charged with driving offences and infringements were issued for speeding and impaired driving. Collie police assistant district officer Insp. Glen Willers said the area heading up to Collie had been a notorious spot for dangerous driving. “Coalfields Highway has always been a concern for us, because historically it’s been a big concern, particularly people coming to Collie to go to particular mine sites,” he said. “We were very happy to be in the right place at the right time so that operation will continue, and it’s good intelligence for us — we will target that area.” Multiple fatal crashes have occurred in the South West this year. The latest fatality was last Tuesday when a 64-year-old rider’s Harley-Davidson motorbike left the Forrest Highway near Myalup.. Insp. Willers said one way to reduce the death toll was to get more police out enforcing the law. “I think police have to be out on the road, it’s very important for us” he said. “That’s the purpose of this whole operation as well, for us to be out on the road and highly visible and holding the people to account. “Clearly people aren’t getting the message, for us to issue that many infringements in those driving conditions including the rain, we need to be out on the road and highly visible.”