COPPING a fine will not make a better driver, but educating them on the reasons for the penalty could stop it happening again.
This is the view of South West Traffic officer-in-charge Sergeant Craig Clarke as local police prepare to focus on vulnerable road users for the month of March.
Sergeant Clarke said Operation Namor would see a focus on motorcyclists and pedal cyclists in an effort to reduce the road toll and improve road safety.
“They are the most vulnerable road users because of the inherently precarious nature of what they’re doing riding an unprotected two wheel vehicle on roads used by both cars and larger-vehicles,” Sergeant Clarke said.
The safety of motorcycle riders across Greater Bunbury has been highlight by the Mail in recent months and Sergeant Clarke’s greatest concern is riders not having the correct class of licence.
He is also concerned with the number of children he sees riding pushbikes with no helmets.
“They are generally accompanied by their parents, who are also not wearing this safety equipment,” Sergeant Clarke said.
“Parents are there to educate and set a good example, which some clearly are not.”
But Bunbury people can expect to have a conversation with traffic officers if they are caught breaking the law.
“Education is not administered by an infringement, it’s gained by communicating the reasons for the penalty and how they can overcome a particular driving behaviour to ensure the same doesn’t happen again,” Sergeant Clarke said.
“Only by communication and education can we even begin to change driver behaviour.”