The Government is moving swiftly to outlaw the use of radar detectors in vehicles by creating new specific offences in the Road Traffic Act.
It was planned, based on advice from the State Solicitors Office to amend regulations, through a Road Traffic Amendment Bill currently before Parliament.
Due to obstruction in the Upper House, by the Liberal Party and Shooters, Fishers and Farmers MLC Rick Mazza, the Government has moved to create a standalone offence, to ensure its speedy passage into law.
Under the proposed new offence to be introduced into Parliament today, anyone caught driving a vehicle fitted with a radar detector will face a $3,200 fine.
A second or subsequent offence would attract a fine of $4,800
It follows the McGowan Government’s banning of laser jammers and electronic scramblers.
Driving at speed is the single most contributing factor in all fatal and serious injury crashes.
As stated by Police and Road Safety Minister Michelle Roberts:
“This is the end of the road for those people who think they can outsmart speed cameras with laser jammers or radar detectors
“It’s unfortunate Western Australia is the last jurisdiction in the country to ban these devices, which provide cover for speeding and allow drivers to flout the law and put other road users at risk.
“The Government’s efforts to deal with this to date, have been obstructed for no good reason by minority members of the Upper House who actually have no interest in road safety.
“I’m disappointed that the Liberals, anxious to frustrate the Government’s efforts to make the roads safer for the community, have sought to co-operate with this shabby exercise.
“If their irresponsibility had been allowed to persist, it could have cost lives.
“I put it to them to clearly support this legislation and to ensure its safe passage through both houses.
