There’s only one way to wear a seatbelt

Wearing a seatbelt properly is one of the easiest ways to protect drivers and passengers in a vehicle.

Here’s how to correctly use your seatbelt:

• Always ensure your seatbelt is properly adjusted and securely fastened.
• The chest sash should be placed over the middle of the shoulder and diagonally across the chest.
• The lap belt should sit snugly over the hips.
• The entire seatbelt should be taut, with no twists or slackness.
• Remove bulky clothing as this can reduce the effectiveness of the seatbelt.
• Never share a seatbelt with a child on your lap.

Seatbelt use during pregnancy

If you don’t wear your seatbelt properly during pregnancy, you risk your own safety and that of your unborn child. To make sure your seatbelt is protecting you both, you should:

• Use the seatbelt locator mechanism (if available) to adjust the seatbelt angle for a snug and comfortable fit;
• Position the chest sash between the breasts and to the side of the belly; and
• Position the lap belt under the belly and secure it across the hips.

Medical conditions and disabilities

If you or your child can’t use a seatbelt or child car restraint correctly due to a medical condition or disability, you must discuss this with a doctor or other appropriate medical practitioner before travelling without a properly adjusted seatbelt or child car restraint. 

Children (under the age of 16)

If your child (under the age of 16) has a medical condition or disability that prevents them using a standard child car restraint or wearing their seatbelt properly adjusted and securely fastened, they may be able to use an additional or alternative restraint such as a vest or specialty harness or a special purpose car seat.  

Adults and children aged 16 and over

If a person is unable to wear a seatbelt properly for medical reasons or because of their size, build or other characteristic, they may qualify for a defence on medical grounds. 

The person must obtain a relevant medical certificate before travelling without wearing their seatbelt (or wearing it incorrectly). The medical certificate must be signed by a medical practitioner and be current at the time of the alleged offence. It must certify that:

while driving or travelling in a motor vehicle —

(i) the person is unable for medical reasons to wear a seatbelt; or

(ii) because of the person’s size, build or other characteristic, it would be unreasonable to require the person to wear a seatbelt;

A certificate is current if, at the relevant time: 

(a) it is specified to have effect only for a specified period and that period has not expired; or

(b) it is endorsed with the words “permanent disability”; or

(c) in any other case, a period of not more than 2 years has expired from the day of its issue.

If the certificate imposes conditions on the person (e.g. using a seatbelt extender or not travelling in the front seat), the person must comply with those conditions, otherwise the defence may not apply.

Child car restraints

Children under the age of seven years must be restrained in an appropriate child car restraint.

Children aged seven and up must use a child restraint unless they can wear an adult seatbelt properly.

Make sure you check out the 5-step test before transitioning a child into an adult seat and seatbelt.

Avoid old or worn restraints that are more than 10 years old or have previously been in a crash. Ensure your child car restraint has been correctly installed in your vehicle.

For information on the appropriate child car restraint for your child, where to access Type 1 and Type 2 Child Car Restraint Fitters around the state, and children in on-demand transport.

Your next text message isn’t worth your last breath

Distracted drivers are a serious risk on our roads. In 2024, 21 fatalities were the result of inattention-related crashes. Between 2020 and 2024, inattention-related crashes resulted in 435 people killed or seriously injured.

Most drivers and road users know that using a mobile phone while driving is dangerous, but a call, text or post is not the only reason we are distracted behind the wheel.

Mobile phones, activity along the street, children in the back seat, adjusting vehicle or radio settings or eating a snack can all cause a driver to be distracted from their most important task – driving safely.

If you glance away from the road when driving for just two seconds at 60km/h, you’re effectively driving blindfolded for 33 metres. Even worse, at 100km/h, you miss 55 metres of road.

It might only be a second or two, but if you’re changing a song on your playlist, finding your sunnies, or even doing your make-up, you’re not looking at the road ahead.

Avoid All Distractions

• Turn off your mobile phone or place it out of sight and set it to ‘do not disturb’ when driving.
• Adjust all vehicle controls before setting off.
• Remove earbuds or headphones.
• Take a break rather than eat, drink, smoke or groom yourself while driving.
• Check a map before starting the journey to know what lies ahead.
• Ask passengers to be quiet if you are having difficulty concentrating while driving.
• Ensure pets are properly restrained in the vehicle.
• Recognise what makes you distracted and avoid that activity when driving.
• Make sure the vehicle’s windscreens and mirrors are clean and unobstructed.

Losing your licence doesn’t just affect you, it impacts family and friends.

You could even lose your job.

And, do you really want to live with the shame and embarrassment that goes with a drink driving offence? 
It’s simple. If you plan to drink, plan not to drive.

Know your options

If you plan to drink, plan not to drive.

Even if you feel like you won’t have much, the safest option is to leave your car at home leaving all temptation there too! 

Arrange for a designated driver or stay at your mate’s.

Utilise the many rideshare platforms at your fingertips. These can be pre-booked or arranged on the spot. 

Alcohol affects your ability to make safe decisions on the road. You could be over the limit and not know it.

If you plan to drink, plan not to drive. You could be over the limit and not know it. It’s difficult to try and determine your own blood alcohol concentration (BAC) level. Your BAC is affected by several factors, including:

• The amount of alcohol you drink.
• The period over which alcohol was consumed.
• Your body mass.
• Whether you have eaten.
• Your fitness level and health of your liver.

If you do have a drink, as a guide: 

• Men should not drink more than 2 standard drinks in the first hour and 1 standard drink every following hour. 
• Women should not drink more than 1 standard drink every hour. 
• A standard drink contains 10 grams of alcohol
• Men and women should not drink more than 4 standard drinks per day, and no more than 10 per week. 

Everyone has different requirements when it comes to the amount of sleep needed to guard against fatigue. Make sure you know how much sleep you need, and get it regularly.

Annually, around 12 lives are lost in crashes in which WA Police suspect fatigue is a factor. Fatigue-related road deaths and serious injuries are not restricted to rural and regional roads, nor are they restricted to people driving long distances.

When you are driving tired, you can drift in and out of sleep without knowing it. Sleep experts call this a micro-sleep and it can last three to five seconds. They are the main cause of fatigue-related crashes. A micro-sleep of five seconds at 110km/h is like travelling the length of an Aussie rules football field with your eyes closed.

The effects of fatigue when driving can be compared with drink driving. For example, driving after being awake for 17-19 hours is equivalent to driving with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.05. Driving after being awake for 24 hours is equivalent to a BAC of 0.10. 

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Don’t Ignore the Yawning Signs

Early danger signs of fatigue include:

• wandering thoughts
• missing a gear, road sign or exit
• slowing or speeding up unintentionally
• braking too late.

If you are driving, you should get off the road if you:

• yawn
• blink more than usual
• have trouble keeping your head up
• notice your eyes closing for a moment or going out of focus
• forget driving the last few kilometres.

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Driving long distances

Plan your journey if you are going to be driving long distances. Get at least 7.5 hours sleep the night before. You should not be driving if you feel tired. When driving, take a break every two hours and if possible, swap drivers. 

Burning The Candle At Both Ends

Fatigue-related road deaths and serious injuries can also be a risk for metro drivers. Shift-workers, poor sleep patterns and those balancing study-work-social commitments are all at risk of driving fatigued. 

Factors increasing your risk of being involved in a sleep-related vehicle crash include:

• working a night shift
• averaging less than 7.5 hours sleep per night
• poor overall quality of sleep
• excessive daytime sleepiness
• frequent night-time driving (especially between midnight and 6am)
• use of medications that cause drowsiness
• driving after being awake for more than 15 hours
• driving for extended periods of time
• air toxic emissions from new motor vehicle interiors.

To guard against fatigue know how much sleep you need, and get it regularly.

When overtaking, make sure you have a clear view of oncoming traffic and use your indicator to signal your intentions to other drivers.

You must not exceed the speed limit. It is illegal to speed up or otherwise prevent someone from overtaking you.

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Overtaking on the left

You are permitted to overtake on the left when:

• driving on a multi-lane road;
• directed by an authorised person (e.g. police officer);
• the vehicle(s) in the right lane is stationary and it is safe to do so; and
• a vehicle is indicating that it is turning right or making a U-turn.

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Overtaking on the right

This is permitted when both vehicles are travelling in the same direction and you are not crossing a continuous white line.

Overtaking a vehicle on the right is NOT permitted:

• at a railway, pedestrian or children’s crossing;
• at an intersection;
• where there is a ‘no overtaking’ sign;
• where there are single or double continuous centre lines; and
• where you do not have a clear view of approaching traffic.

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Overtaking bicycles

• Motorists are required to keep a minimum safe passing distance when overtaking cyclists.
• When the speed limit is 60km/h or under, motorists must leave a gap of at least 1m when passing a bicycle rider.
• When the speed limit is over 60km/h, the gap must be at least 1.5m.
• The safe passing distance law allows drivers to cross centre line markings, including single and double continuous white lines and painted islands, to give the correct amount of space to the cyclist, but only when it is safe to do so, and when the driver has a clear view of oncoming traffic.
• If it is not possible to safely overtake, slow down and wait until it is safe to overtake.
• Motorists should check blind spots for riders before moving left or right on the carriageway.
• Motorists are only permitted to drive in a marked bicycle lane for 50m to stop or park in a designated parking area.
• Public bus and taxi drivers may also drive in a bicycle lane for up to 50m, if the driver is dropping off or picking up passengers.