AFLW star Emma O’Driscoll’s warning to Leavers amid State Government’s road safety campaign

Dockers star Emma O’Driscoll has shared her heartbreak of losing four friends in crashes as part of the State Government’s new campaign to try and get young drivers home safely during Leavers.

The new road safety movement— named Wheelmates — urges young drivers to call out unsafe behaviour and limit distractions as they make road trips to areas including Dunsborough later this month.

It comes amid a horrific year on our roads and follows two pleas from police this week for beginner drivers to slow down.

Standing alongside the Road Safety Minister, O’Driscoll, 24, urged young people to remember they were “not invincible” as they prepared for Leavers with friends.

“I actually lost four close friends in car accidents. It was all in the space of four years,” she said.

“I was 18 at the time when I first lost one of my friends, Ashley.”

Don’t think that you’re invincible

All four of those friends — with two being killed in a single crash — didn’t make it to their 21st birthday.

“There are so many simple things .... buckle up, get off your phone, don’t speed,” the AFLW player continued.

“Don’t think that you’re invincible and listen to your mates.... tell your mates not to get in the car if someone’s been drinking.”

Road Safety Minister David Michael said fatigue, distractions — including tampering with music — seatbelts and safe driving habits formed part of the new “wheelmates” campaign.

“There’s one thing parents, families and friends can do to keep children safe ... make sure they understand the need for everyone to buckle up and just slow down,” he said.

On Thursday, police announced they had charged two P-platers with reckless driving after they were allegedly speeding at least 90km/h over the limit.

Mr Michael said anybody considering replicating that behaviour at leavers was simply “a recipe for destroying lives.”

The minister said WA Police would have an increased presence around Leavers events this year to curb speeding and drug driving.

New P-plater restrictions, limiting drivers to one passenger, will not be in effect until December 1 — weeks after official leavers celebrations, which span from November 18 to 21.

Georgia Cipriano — who lost her 17-year-old son in a crash last month — told The West that passenger restrictions were a great start at trying to limit distractions for young drivers, but that it did not go far enough to address their inexperience in driving in adverse conditions.

Her son, Levent, died in a collision with a truck on a rainy morning on September 27. He had completed his necessary 50 hours in summer and had barely experienced wet conditions.

There are no conditions forcing learner drivers to practice on country roads or in adverse weather conditions in WA.

Minister David said he expected an upcoming review of learner and provisional license rules to include a probe into required hours for learners.

High-powered vehicle restrictions are also set to be probed as part of the review.

The campaign — which will promote safer driving over social media to target young people — cost the State Government $373,000.