175 people died on WA roads in 2022 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 pick our children up from school. We plan to be at work in time for a meeting. We plan to meet our friends at the beach.
But none of us plans a crash. 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.
Put simply, helping to prevent these deaths and injuries from happening really is up to each and every one of us.
Be a safe road user and help make every journey safe
For the most part, the majority of us are responsible road users, taking care to do the right thing. Unfortunately, however, it’s the smaller acts of risk-taking driving behaviour – that we are all guilty of from time to time – which lead to the most crashes on our roads.
And just a small moment of inattention, or a mistake when driving, riding, cycling, or walking, can result in a serious road incident.
The ‘No one plans a crash – make every journey safe’ 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 very simple steps.
| Road Crash Scenario | Avoiding the Outcome |
|---|---|
| Low level speeding |
Vehicles don’t have to be going fast to cause harm. Many fatalities occur at lower speeds, especially when pedestrians or bike riders are involved. A person walking has a 90% chance of survival if hit at 30km/h, but only 60% chance of survival if hit at 40km/h. Always keep to the speed limit, particularly in school zones or built-up areas. |
| Distracted driving | 2 seconds on your phone is like driving 33 metres blind. Avoid the distraction. 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. |
| Drive to the conditions |
Responsible drivers select the appropriate speed to travel for the conditions around them. If driving conditions change, it’s up to you to adjust your speed accordingly, within that limit. Speed choices are influenced by:
Remember, the speed limit is the maximum speed allowed – it is not the goal. Select the appropriate speed to travel for the conditions at the time. |
| Drink driving | If you plan to drink, plan not to drive. Research shows that the risk of being involved in a traffic crash is significantly higher for a person with a BAC of 0.05% than that of a person who has not been drinking at all. |
| Motorcyclists/cyclists - know your limit |
Cyclists: When on the road avoid any distraction that takes your mind off the road and your surroundings. Stay switched on. Motorcyclists: Think carefully about the roads and the speed limits that are safe for you. Ride to the conditions. |
| Fatigue | Driving tired is dangerous. Driving after being awake for 17-19 hours is like having a blood alcohol reading of 0.05. To guard against fatigue, know how much sleep you need and get it regularly. |
| Bike riders and eRiders - helmets | It is illegal to ride a bicycle, eScooter or any eRideable without a helmet. In the event of a crash, helmets provide essential protection. |
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Our campaign
The ‘No one plans a crash – make every journey safe’ campaign uses everyday scenarios of a family and a share house of three young friends. The campaign aims to create the personal connection to understand that crashes can happen to you and your loved ones. It highlights that we all have a part to play to make every journey a safe one. To view the Campaign, visit the 'No one plans a crash' page.
