$14 million to deliver rest area upgrades for WA

Drug-affected Perth truck driver jailed for manslaughter

Not a headline that we want to read, and sadly one that reflects on the WA Transport industry in the eyes of the public.

With methamphetamine in his system, Perth truck driver David West, 48, ran a red light and smashed into a mother-of-three’s Mitsubishi Magna as she turned at a green light onto Tonkin Highway from Armadale Road in Forrestdale on April 15th, 2019.

Moira Dunstall, 55, was killed when his 40-tonne truck hit her.

After pleading guilty to manslaughter, West was sentenced to six years and nine months in jail. He will be eligible for parole after serving four years and nine months.

Fatigued due to consuming meth two days earlier and suffering from an undiagnosed sleep apnoea condition, West failed to slow his truck as he approached the intersection, despite amber lights flashing 100 metres before the traffic lights.

Travelling between 80 to 100 kilometres per hour, he drove through a traffic light three to five seconds after it had turned red and Ms Dunstall’s car was dragged for 150 metres and killed her instantly.

With a criminal history revealing previous convictions for drunk-driving, dangerous driving and possessing methamphetamine with intent to supply, Supreme Court of Western Australia Justice Paul Tottle, while recognising West

$14 million to deliver rest area upgrades for heavy vehicle drivers in regional WA

The State Government is working with the transport industry to identify and prioritise upgrades to rest area facilities in regional Western Australia, as well as minor roads upgrades.

The industry working group has identified 17 initial locations for improvements, costing $14 million with works to start in June 2021, subject to approval by the Commonwealth Government.

The program of improvements was determined by a working group involving Main Roads WA and peak industry bodies including the Transport Workers' Union, the Western Roads Federation and the Livestock and Rural Transport Association of WA.

Key works identified include: • Provision of ablution facilities at ten locations on key freight routes, near

Bunbury, Northam, Port Hedland,

Northampton, Exmouth, Wubin and

Marble Bar (more than $2 million); • Expansion of the Newman road train assembly area and new ablution facilities ($6 million); • Sealing of existing gravel parking near

Auski roadhouse ($3.2 million); • Sealing and extension of parking at

Leonora and provision of toilet facilities

($1.5 million); and • Sealing of an existing parking area near Karijini to separate heavy and light vehicles ($950,000).

The group will continue identifying projects on key regional routes that would benefit from the program, which is jointly funded by the Federal and State Governments.

WA Transport Minister Rita Saffioti said, "Freight drivers provide an essential service and we need to ensure we have the amenities and facilities available in regional WA these workers deserve. "I commend the efforts of the working group and the contributions from key industry organisations, and am looking forward to working with the industry group and Commonwealth Government on delivering these upgrades. "In addition to identifying further rest area improvements, the working group will continue look at opportunities to involve local government and private companies to help broaden the benefits of this funding initiative as well as better use of technology to assist in the management and utilisation of these rest area facilities." The community is entitled to expect that those charged with driving such heavy loads are free of any risk that their driving be incapacitated by drug use

was remorseful over the crash, said truck drivers had a responsibility to drive safely, especially on suburban roads.

“You started using methylamphetamine when you were 20 years old,” he said.

“You used the drug to stay alert during shifts as a long-haul truck driver. You have struggled with your use of methylamphetamine since this time, describing your use as 'on-and-off'.

“The community is entitled to expect that those charged with driving such heavy loads are free of any risk that their driving be incapacitated by drug use.”

Justice Tottle summarised the grief suffered by Ms Dunstall’s family, including her husband and three children.

“She was in the prime of her life. She had much to look forward to,” he said.

“She was married to David and in late 2019, they were due to celebrate 35 years of marriage. "There is no summary that can be given that would adequately express the many ways in which this family has suffered as a result of losing the woman who was the rock on which her family was built.”