Zero tolerance on seat belts

Police will take a no-tolerance approach to motorists driving without a seatbelt or speeding as part of a crackdown starting this week.

Statistics showed there had been eight serious crashes and eight fatal crashes in the South West district this year with many occurring in preventable circumstances.

An analysis of the accidents identified the major contributing factors as non-seatbelt compliance, speed, alcohol and fatigue.

Senior Sergeant Steve Principe said of the 16 crashes 43.75 per cent involved drivers and passengers not wearing seatbelts, with five people ejected from their vehicles because of it.

“All crashes were in 80km and 110km/h speed zones with most in 110km zones,” he said.

Sgt Principe said no cautions would be given out during the operation which would run across the South West until the end of June.

He said drivers needed to be more sensible when the weather changed and adjust their driving to suit the weather conditions.

“We want to see if we can make it to the end of June without any more fatalities,” he said.