ESPERANCE police have confirmed they will begin to patrol the Wylie Bay sand dunes, along with Department of Conservation and Esperance Shire rangers, after receiving an in-principle funding agreement to purchase an all-terrain patrol vehicle through the Local Emergency Management Committee (LEMC).

The issue of driving behaviour at the Wylie Bay sand dunes, which are chartered as a public use area, has been thrown in to the spotlight once more following an accident that has left a 17-year-old Esperance youth with severe spinal injuries.

This follows at least three other accidents at the dunes over the last 12 months that have resulted in one death and two patients air-lifted to Perth by the Royal Flying Doctors Service.

Esperance police Senior Sergeant Paul Humphries said regulation of the area was not the answer, simply because the area is already regulated under the Road Traffic Act.

“What motorbike and four wheel drive users have to remember is that the Wylie Bay sand dunes are chartered as a public use area, and therefore regulations under the Road Traffic Act apply to use of that area,” Snr Sgt Humphries said.

“With that in mind, users can be charged with offences such as dangerous driving.

“The fact they’re not on a road is immaterial, they still have an obligation to act responsibly when using that area.”

Snr Sgt Humphries said Esperance police would begin patrolling the Wylie Bay dunes, following an application through the LEMC for funding for an off-road patrol vehicle.

“The LEMC has a funding agreement with the BHP Ravensthorpe Nickel Operation, and they have given us an in-principle funding approval for the vehicle.

“Esperance police, along with both DEC rangers and Esperance Shire rangers will be increasing our visibility in that area.”

Snr Sgt Humphries also pointed out the accidents at Wylie needed not just a response from the police, but also a whole government response.

“We will be working with the Shire and the LEMC to increase signage and education of users, and the users have to remember they also have a responsibility to themselves and to other users.”

Snr Sgt Humphries said Esperance police would be seeking witnesses to the latest crash, and would be speaking to the parents of the youth when they return to Esperance.