Police urge South West drivers to stay safe

South West superintendent Geoff Stewart announced on October 30 that they have acquired extra personnel and vehicles to be out on the roads for the weekend.

"People may have already noticed an increase in police presence which is part of an ongoing program to build upon what has already been done to keep South West roads safe," he said.

There will be two vans, which are smaller and more mobile than buses as well as some of the motorcycle fleet.

"The vans can be set up in a couple of minutes and will be used to target individuals and target locations all around the South West," Sergeant Stewart said.

"We will be looking for people not only affected by alcohol but people under the influence of drugs."

The vans also have the AMPR technology which can scan number plates and see if people have been charged with an unrelated traffic crime.

"If you are a crook or drunk or drug driving, the odds of getting caught have dramatically increased," Sergeant Stewart said.

He said this weekend would not be the only time these vehicles will be in the area.

"This time of year we start amping up our response with the nice weather and get more and more visitors," he said.

"Far too many people have been killed on South West roads this year, and it is about making the community aware that road safety is important."

Sr Stewart said he did not have the statistics on how many people had been charged with driving under the influence of drugs, but he had no doubt they would pick people up for it this weekend.

"There are stupid and dumb people out there and deserve to be taken off the roads, no doubt we will catch some and we have no sympathy for them," he said.