Police warn drivers about the 'Fatal Five'—speeding, drink and drug driving, distraction, and not wearing a seatbelt—announcing double demerits will apply from December 19 to January 4 to curb risky behavior.

Authorities warn of increased police presence and double demerits over the Christmas period as fatalities rise in the South West, noting 24 deaths on South West roads as of December 16, 2024, near the 2024 total of 31.

December typically sees a spike in fatalities; statewide, 23 deaths were recorded in December last year, with 224 fatality‑free days so far in 2024 and 178 deaths from 127 serious crashes.

Road policing leaders emphasize greater summer visibility through unmarked cars and motorbikes and urge drivers to plan journeys with safety for themselves and others in mind.

An $80 million road safety reform package is unveiled ahead of the school holidays, funding six new safety camera trailers, four fixed point-to-point camera pairs, 32 near-miss cameras, and 100 smiley‑face cameras in school zones, with stiffer fines and demerit points for repeat offenders.

The reforms, according to the Road Safety Minister, are designed to deter dangerous driving and reward history‑good drivers, featuring differentiated penalties and real-time enforcement enhancements.