Lucky escape for Swan View driver as car rolls into train

WA Police Commissioner Col Blanch has just addressed the state’s ballooning road toll after a further two people died on WA roads yesterday.

He told Radio 6PR that a review of driver’s involved in fatal accidents had revealed most had been fined for speeding “five, ten or 15 times” but the message was not getting through.

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It came after three young men were killed in a car crash in Carlisle on Saturday, with the 18-year-old driver accused of speeding while under the influence of alcohol.

“How do we penetrate the mind of a 20-year-old man and say, ’Don’t be an idiot, don’t be reckless, don’t be stupid. They’re not listening, and tragically we’ve seen three fatalities on the weekend … because of what we think is alcohol, distraction, speed, no seat belts – basically all of the fatal five in one crash,” he said.

“Maybe the consequences [of speeding] need to be increased for people to think twice.”

WA’s yearly road toll is at 152, more than “20+” for what is typical at this time of year.

Earlier today, Samantha Saffioti, mother of Tom – who was one of two young men who died in a Seville Grove car crash three years ago – called for Tom’s Law to be introduced.

Tom, 18, was among five passengers in the car being driven by an 18-year-old P-plater at the time.

Ms Saffioti, who is a relative of WA Treasurer Rita Saffioti, wants P-plate drivers to be restricted to having just one passenger, in addition to immediate family, when driving at night.

“Tom didn’t even get to graduate … he didn’t get to do any of the things I’ve watched his friends do. His future has been robbed,” she told the ABC.

“[The P-plater passenger restriction] has been working in other states and I think that it’s time that the West Australian government step up to the plate.”

Asked today about the state government’s plans to improve road safety, WA Premier Roger Cook said P-plate passenger restrictions were being considered.