Road carnage as WA on track to record deadliest year in almost two decades
Western Australia is on track to record its deadliest year on the roads in almost two decades, with more than 200 lives forecast to be lost unless driver behaviour changes. More than 110 people have already died on WA roads in 2026, putting the state on course for its highest annual road toll since 2008.
RAC warns of crisis levels
RAC head of communications Rhys Heron said road deaths had reached “crisis levels” and warned complacency behind the wheel was costing lives. “If we keep going the way we’re going, we will likely see more than 200 people killed on our roads for the first time in 18 years,” he said. “We need to put an end to the complacency which has caused road fatalities to start rising again — every life lost is an unacceptable, preventable tragedy.”
Rising death toll
In 2025, 184 people died on WA roads after 188 fatalities in 2024. Mr Heron said WA now had the highest road death rate per capita of any state despite once leading the nation in road safety. The state government has been urged to implement additional measures to address the rising toll, including increased enforcement and public awareness campaigns.
