Seatbelts save lives: Police

Police say they cannot believe drivers still risk their lives by not wearing seatbelts after revealing both victims of a double fatality near Mt Barker two weeks ago were not buckled in.

Police have condemned the behaviour of motorists in the wake of the increasing road toll in the region which climbed to 24 this week after the death of a 45-year-old Mt Barker man from a head-on crash in Narrikup on Albany Highway.

After the investigation into the crash on November 20 which claimed the lives of 37-year-old Lauren Cummings and 14-year-old Dusty Plummer, and seriously injured Ms Cummings’ 14-year-old daughter Taleetha Porteous, Great Southern traffic enforcement Sergeant Andrew Norton said all three occupants of the car were not wearing a seatbelt.

The victims, all from Takalarup, were travelling in a south-westerly direction on Woogenellup Road when their car left the road and hit a tree.

“In this day and age its just completely unacceptable,” Sgt Norton said.

“This is despite education, increased fines and enforcement.”

Sgt Norton said officers were still catching drivers not wearing seatbelts despite increased vehicle technology which notifies when the restraint is not being used.

“Most people do the right thing but we are still getting them which is disturbing,” he said.

Police are expected to increase their presence across the festive period.