Risky roads
Risky Roads is the largest survey of its kind in the state and recognises the safety concerns of those who know WA roads best - you
With urgent State and Federal Government action we can prevent thousands of serious crashes from occurring, reducing the tragic level of deaths and serious injuries on regional roads.
The regional road trauma epidemic
In the five years to 2024, more than 520 people have been killed and 2500 seriously injured on WA’s regional roads – a devastating reality for our regional communities and the equivalent of wiping out the entire population of a small town.
Deaths on regional roads happen at almost four times the national average.
Around two thirds of all serious crashes in regional WA involve cars running off the road or drifting into the path of oncoming traffic, causing many deaths and serious injuries. These could be avoided with low-cost road upgrades.
The solution
Regional Road Safety Program
WA’s regional fatality rate is far too high. Much of WA’s regional road network is unforgiving of mistakes, with high-speed two-way traffic, minimal safety features, and roadside hazards such as trees.
Tragically, around 270 deaths and serious injuries occur on regional local government-managed roads every year.
Both state and local roads need to be improved to prevent more deaths and serious injuries.
10 000km
Of state roads have been upgraded since 2020
Audible lines
Warn drivers if they are drifting out of their lane
Sealed shoulders
Give drivers more time to react to unexpected changes or hazards
50%
Reduction in fatalities across WA’s regional roads since 2020
35%
Reduction in serious and often life-changing injuries caused by crashes
Over 4000km
Still to fund and deliver so further improvements can be implemented
Expansion to local government roads
Developed
RAC led business case for more than 8000km of upgrades
Prevent
Over 750 deaths or serious injuries over 30 years
Funding
The current WA State Budget includes $250 million over five years
Frequently asked questions
What are low-cost safety treatments?
Low-cost safety treatments are cost-effective road upgrades which can significantly reduce the risk and severity of a crash. The treatments this program would fund include:
Audible Line Markings:
Also known as rumble strips, Audible Tactile Line Marketing (ATLM) are narrow lines of raised or grooved material along the edge or in the centre of a road, designed to alert the driver when they're drifting out of their lane or into oncoming traffic. The sound and vibration of a tyre passing over these lines allows the driver to correct their path, reducing the likelihood of a crash.
Sealed Road Shoulders:
Sealed road shoulders refer to the asphalted or sealed strips at the edge of a road, outside of the white lines that mark a traffic lane. Unsealed road shoulders are usually gravel or grass and make it difficult to steer and brake at high speed, increasing the chances of a crash.
How do low-cost safety treatments save lives?
Low-cost safety solutions alert drivers when they're veering out of their lane, and allow them both the time and space to correct their path, reducing the risk and severity of a crash.
