Western Australia Police now have the power to issue higher infringement penalties to drivers caught travelling at excessive speeds and those driving without wearing a seatbelt.
Amendments to the Road Traffic Code 2000 mean drivers caught failing to use a seatbelt or appropriate restraints, or failing to wear a motorcycle helmet where required, could be fined up to $2,800 for a first offence. This more than doubles the previous maximum fine of $1,200. Drivers of light vehicles caught travelling more than 40kmh over the posted speed limit will be subject to a $1,200 fine.
“We’ve seen the evidence recently that drivers continue to put the lives of others at risk on WA roads, by travelling at highly excessive speeds,” said Road Safety Commissioner Iain Cameron. “Statistics show that one third of all fatalities in Western Australia last year occurred in crashes where speed was a factor, so we want these new penalties to slow down drivers and save lives.”
Starting 5 September 2017, the new penalties are:
- A light vehicle travelling more than 40km/h above the speed limit will be liable to an infringement penalty of $1,200 instead of $1,000;
- A heavy vehicle travelling more than 29km/h but not more than 40km/h above the speed limit will be liable to an infringement penalty of $1,200 instead of $850;
- A heavy vehicle travelling more than 40km/h above the speed limit will be liable to an infringement penalty of $1,500 instead of $1,000;
- The maximum fine that a court can impose in relation to failing to use seatbelts or appropriate restraints, and failing to wear a motorcycle helmet where required under the Road Traffic Code 2000, will increase from $1,200 to $2,800 for a first offence, and from $2400 to $4200 for a subsequent offence.
