158 people died on WA roads in 2023 and around 1,700 people are seriously injured each year.
Tragically, every one of these was someone’s loved one – a parent, a child, a sibling, a friend.
Clearly, not one of these events was planned.
We plan to be at work in time for a meeting.
We plan to go to a party.
We plan a leisurely weekend motorcycle ride.
But none of us plans a crash.
Whatever the journey, no one plans to kill or seriously injure ourselves or someone else when we leave the house. The fact is, however, if we don't consciously plan a safe journey, we may as well be planning an unsafe one.
Find out how making small changes to your driving behaviour can help make every journey safe.
The ‘No one plans a crash’ campaign highlights a number of everyday tragedies, each of which could have been avoided or had a lower impact if people had just followed some simple steps.
| Road Crash Scenario | Avoiding the Outcome |
|---|---|
| Speeding | The faster you drive, the longer it takes to stop. Driving at or below the speed limit allows you time to react to potential hazards and reduce stopping distance to lessen the likelihood of serious injury or death. Always stick to 50km/h in built up areas, and do not exceed the signposted speed limits on other roads. Drive according to road conditions, slowing down as needed for wet weather, differing road surfaces, high pedestrian areas and other potential road hazards. |
| Ineffective use of seatbelts and child car restraints | Seatbelts aren’t just one of the most effective ways of protecting drivers and passengers, they’re also one of the easiest. Ensuring that your seatbelt is properly adjusted and securely fastened can make an already effective tool even more so. It’s also important that children up to the age of seven be properly secured in an appropriate child car restraint. Replace your child car restraint if it is more than 10 years old, previously involved in a crash or is showing obvious signs of wear. |
| Mobile phones and distractions | Distractions inside the vehicle, including use of mobile phones can cause you to be unaware of the road ahead. In fact, even if you glance away from the road for two seconds at 60km/h, you’re effectively driving blind for 33 metres. Before you drive, turn off your mobile phone and put it on the backseat or in the glove box. Out of sight is out of mind |
| Not driving to the conditions | Speed limits are not targets – it’s important to always adjust your speed to the conditions. Conditions that can influence driving behaviour include:
|
| Drink or drug driving | Alcohol, illicit drugs and certain prescription medications can impair your ability to respond effectively and make good decisions on the road. If you plan to drink alcohol, plan not to drive. Research shows you’re at a higher risk of being involved in a traffic crash if your Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) is over 0.05%. If you suspect you’re under the influence of an illicit substance, or that your prescription medication is impacting your ability to drive safely, choose an alternative form of transportation |
| Not sharing the road | Vehicles, motorcycles, cyclists and eRideables all share the road and each have unique laws to keep users safe. Motorcycles, cyclists and eRideables in particular are more vulnerable in the event of a crash. It’s illegal to ride a bicycle or eRideable without a helmet. As a result, it’s the responsibility of every road user to know and follow the laws that apply to their mode of transport and ensure we can all share the road safely. |
| Fatigue | Driving tired is dangerous. Driving after being awake for 17-19 hours is like having a blood alcohol reading of 0.05. Everyone has different requirements when it comes to the amount of sleep needed to guard against fatigue. Make sure you know how much sleep you need, and get it regularly. If you’re driving long distances, get at least 7.5 hours the night before, take breaks every two hours and if possible, swap drivers. |
