Safe road users include ensuring licensed drivers and motorcyclists, and addressing illegal behaviours like drink driving, speeding and mobile phone use.
Most of us think we’re responsible road users and for the most part, we do the right thing. However, it’s the smaller acts of risk-taking driving behaviour (that we can all be guilty of from time to time) that lead to the most crashes on our roads. A small moment of inattention, or a mistake when driving, riding, cycling, or walking can result in a serious road incident. We accept that people make mistakes and that some crashes will always occur – but this doesn’t mean we have to accept death or serious injury on our roads.
While the Road Safety Framework builds an injury-tolerant road transport system, we must all use it responsibly. Safe road users include ensuring licensed drivers and motorcyclists, and addressing illegal behaviours like drink driving, speeding and mobile phones. Factors that influence your ability to be a safe road user include:
Distracted Driving
You are four times more likely to crash if you use your mobile phone while driving. To avoid distractions, before you begin your journey, consider doing the following:
- Turn off your mobile phone
- Put your mobile phone on the backseat or in the glove box (out of sight, out of mind)
- Adjust vehicle controls such as the seat positioning or mirror positioning so you can see.
- Set your GPS before starting the journey
- Make sure you are hydrated and not hungry before starting, or plan to take a break.
- Ensure any pets in the car are properly restrained.
- Ensure the windscreen and mirrors are clean and unobstructed.
If you have passengers, ask them to be quiet if you are having difficulty concentrating on driving. For more information on this, visit our Mobile Phones and Distraction page.
Driving tired
Driving tired is a silent killer on WA roads. Know how much sleep you need, and get it regularly.
80% of WA fatigue-related road fatalities between 2016 and 2020 occurred on regional roads.
Some tips to combat fatigue on long road trips include:
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Plan ahead and get at least seven and a half hours sleep before you drive
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Take a break every two hours
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Share the driving where possible
For more information on fatigue and ways to combat tiredness, visit our Fatigue page.
