Drivers on their best behaviour

Police believe the “message is getting through” with South West officers praising the community for being well behaved over Christmas and New Year.

South West traffic police say the roadside unit is reaching its increased drug and alcohol testing target and a bolstered police presence over the festive period did not result in more offences.

While police say the Bunbury CBD was busy, there were no incidents “of note” and the general behaviour of the community was a “very good” result.

But a South West traffic police spokesman warned the WA Police Christmas Campaign would continue until Sunday – with double demerits – and road users should continue to obey the rules.

The spokesman said a fatal crash near Harvey on Monday night was an “unfortunate” start to the year on South West roads.

The fatality was the first on regional roads for 2017 and the State’s road toll yesterday equated to one death every day for the year.

The spokesman said despite the death, road users in general were well behaved and police would continue to ensure safety as the Christmas campaign came to a close and into the future.

“For regional WA there was an expectation all districts in the South West would do an increased amount of drug and alcohol testing,” he said.

“There wasn’t any remarkable amount of people doing the wrong thing, so the message is getting through.

“There was a greatly increased police presence on roads, which will continue, but so far it hasn’t equated to an increase in offences.”

Bunbury police officer-in-charge Sen. Sgt Mal Jones said extra officers had also been concentrating on the CBD and outer city areas.

Sen. Sgt Jones said police were already looking ahead in the lead-up to Australia Day.

“There will be a no tolerance approach to anti-social behaviour,” he said.

“By all means, enjoy yourself, but look after yourselves and those around you.”