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 and serious injuries on our roads.

Our history of making roads safer

1905

Encouraged local authorities to improve road surfaces and pushed for lower city-driving speeds.

1905

1918

Lobbied government to ensure drivers were licensed and kept to the left, and that all vehicles had brakes.

1918

1930s

Sided with the WA Safety First Council to pressure the state government to fix several dangerous Perth intersections.

1930

1940s

Initiated the National Safety Council to give Australian motoring clubs a national voice.

1940

1970s

  • Influenced the federal government to abolish seatbelt tax and introduce compulsory seatbelts.
  • Began the push for drink-driving reform by releasing research in 1978 which linked many fatal automobile accidents to drinking.
1970

1979

RAC's Road Patrol magazine declared the need for $1.2 billion for roads nationally.

1979

1980

Pushed for $400 million of taxes from the crude oil levy to be spent on roads.

1980

1990s

Backed the establishment of the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP), now considered an international benchmark of vehicle safety.

1990

2003

Initiated the Red Spot campaign to improve the worst congestion spots on WA roads.

2003

2004

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.

2004

2012

RAC makes the Safer Cars commitment to only insure and finance cars built in 2012 and beyond, with an ANCAP safety rating of 4 stars or more.

2012

2014

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.

2014

2015

Following RAC lobbying, the State Government appointed a Road Safety Commissioner.

2015

2016

Started Australia's first and longest running automated trial with the RAC Intellibus®.

2016

2018

  • RAC welcomes the introduction of Slow Down, Move Over laws in Western Australia to improve safety of the community and workers operating on busy roadsides.
  • Launched the Impact Protection Vehicles to protect our people and members at breakdowns.
2018

2019

Commenced advocacy for the Regional Road Safety Program.

2019