More than 800 WA drivers caught flaunting the road rules every day since AUI cameras began operating

Almost 800 WA drivers a day have been pinged for dodgy driving acts by AI safety cameras in the three months of them being in effect. The cameras have snapped a staggering 83,000 acts - mostly mobile phone usage and speeding offences - since October 8. More than 31,000 infringements were given out for drivers using or touching their phone while driving, while 27,000 were caught speeding. A further 24,000 infringements were handed out for a driver or passenger incorrectly wearing a seatbelt. The thousands caught between December 19 to January 4 felt double the pain with double demerits enforced through the Christmas-New Year’s period - as is the case again this Australia Day long weekend. People caught speeding could be docked up to 14 demerit points, while the penalty for using your phone behind the wheel jumps to eight points. Running a red light under double-demerits costs six points and if you or your passengers are caught not wearing a seatbelt, it’ll be eight points. First offenders caught drink driving with a blood alcohol concentration of less than 0.08, will be hit with to 10 demerit points, but anyone caught at 0.08 or above, or for not the first time, will need to be dealt with in court. A WA Police spokesperson said highly-visible officers are operating in force to keep the roads safe over the long weekend. “Police will be out in force right across Western Australia during this period, with officers highly visible and operating anywhere, anytime,” they said. “Drivers are reminded that during double demerits, one poor decision can cost you your licence on the spot. More importantly, it can cost someone their life.” Road Policing Commander Mike Peters said all drivers could do their bit by not speeding, not using their mobile phones behind the wheel, not drinking and driving, and taking breaks on regional trips. “We’re asking every driver to play their part in making sure everyone gets home safely,” he said. “I urge all West Australians to do their bit for road safety to ensure everyone gets home safely this long weekend.” Thirteen people have already died on WA’s roads this year, three more than at the same time last year and one above the five-year average of 12. A 49-year old driver became the 13th fatality on Wednesday, when his Kia Carnival sedan was involved in a crash with a Toyota Landcruiser and Isuzu truck in Dianella. Nearly half of the road deaths have been motorcyclists, a trend Road Safety Commissioner Adrian Warner wants to stop. “I want to bring particular awareness to motorcyclists as six of this year’s 13 fatalities were motorcycle riders,” he said. “When the sun is out and the conditions are good for riding, people want to get out and enjoy all our great State has to offer — but do not get complacent, we do not want to see any lives lost over the Australia Day long weekend. “Every road user deserves to arrive home safe, from drivers to pedestrians, motorcyclists and cyclists.”