We've been a strong and proud advocate for improving road safety in WA ever since we formed in 1905. We've done a lot, but there is more to do as we aim for zero deaths on our roads and make life on the roads better for everyone.
Our history of making roads safer
1905
Encouraged local authorities to improve road surfaces and pushed for lower city-driving speeds.
19051918
Lobbied government to ensure drivers were licensed and kept to the left, and that all vehicles had brakes.
19181930s
Sided with the WA Safety First Council to pressure the state government to fix several dangerous Perth intersections.
19301940s
Initiated the National Safety Council to give Australian motoring clubs a national voice.
19401970s
Influenced the federal government to abolish seatbelt tax and introduce compulsory seatbelts.
1970s
Began the push for drink-driving reform by releasing research in 1978 which linked many fatal automobile accidents to drinking.
19701979
RAC's Road Patrol magazine declared the need for $1.2 billion for roads nationally.
19791980
Pushed for $400 million of taxes from the crude oil levy to be spent on roads.
19801990s
Backed the establishment of the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP), now considered an international benchmark of vehicle safety.
19902003
Initiated the Red Spot campaign to improve the worst congestion spots on WA roads.
20032004
Secured a commitment of $100 million from the state government to improve road safety, including $20 million for black spots and $80 million for safer roads.
20042015
As a symbol of the silence on road safety in the WA Wheatbelt, RAC unveiled a life-sized African elephant sculpture made out of crashed cars. It highlights the significantly higher fatality rate in the Wheatbelt, and our need to talk about it more.
2015
Following RAC lobbying, the State Government appointed a Road Safety Commissioner.
2015