Police and Road Safety Minister Michelle Roberts has announced $87,916 for local crime prevention and road safety initiatives in the Wheatbelt during a visit to Northam on Wednesday 30 May.
Minister Roberts met with local RoadWise committee members and school students at the Shire of Northam to present funding of $18,000 to deliver a road safety campaign at schools for students aged 15-17.
In a speech to those in attendance, Ms Roberts said country WA has had significant numbers of road fatalities.
She said road improvements alone are not the solution to lowering the numbers, but instead pairing that with driver education.
Minister Roberts said fatigue and driving under the influence of substances is often a contributing factor in deaths on our roads.
Cliff Simpson of WALGA said the group are working with the community to get the fatality number down to 0 in the region.
In WA in 2017, 161 people lost their lives on our roads with 91 of those in regional Western Australia.
To date there have been 69 fatalities in WA this year with 41 of those on regional roads.
Minister Roberts also gave funding to the Northam PCYC to provide a program to help youth obtain their drivers license.
She also officially opened the refurbished centre with a plaque and ribbon cutting.
Minister Roberts said PCYC provide something for youth to do within towns.
She said these opportunities in the community help reduce crime.
Other Wheatbelt projects that received funding from Minister Roberts include:
Shire of Pingelly: $24,304
- To implement a life skills development program for young people aged 5-12 years identified as being involved with small crime around town or at risk of offending.
Wheatbelt Health Network Inc: $18,952
- For an early intervention program for at risk juvenile girls aged 10-18, to develop interpersonal skills, improve self-esteem and confidence
Toodyay Safety and Crime Prevention Association: $2,070
- To develop a website which provides access to both local and external community safety and crime prevention resources.