SOUTH WEST Traffic officer-in-charge sergeant Craig Clarke has issued a warning to backpackers about the dangers of driving on West Australian roads.
Sergeant Clarke told the Bunbury Mail a multitude of problems put tourist road users at risk.
“Most of the backpackers visiting the South West are young and most likely lacking experience behind the wheel of a car,” he said.
“They are also unfamiliar with the types of roads they are encountering in Western Australia and the high speeds they can legally travel on the large, open stretches.”
Sergeant Clarke said the instances of backpackers being involved in fatal crashes in the last five years in the South West was estimated to be between 10 and 20 per cent.
He also said the lifestyle of backpackers was contributing to the number of serious and fatal crashes.
“When they arrive in Australia they are trying to live cheaply and often buy cars that are on the lower end of safe and roadworthy,” he said.
“There is also a party environment involved with alcohol and travel in the early hours of the morning when unfamiliar country roads are dark.”
Last Easter a French tourist was killed in a horror crash in Margaret River.
Witnesses reported the 26-year-old driving on the wrong side of the road and was killed when his Toyota Corolla collided with a Mazda.
His 28-year-old Chinese female passenger was flown to Royal Perth Hospital with serious injuries along with the two occupants of the Mazda.
Police found the tourists were not wearing seatbelts.
Last month a 28-year-old Taiwan student studying in Perth was killed after the motorbike she was pillion passenger on crashed into a tree in Yokine.
Sergeant Clarke said South West officers have previously visited backpacker accommodation to talk to tourists about road conditions and hopes the message will start to sink in.
