WA records highest number of January road deaths in a decade

Monday, 25 January 2021 10:41

By Monique Welhan

WA has recorded the highest number of January road fatalities in a decade.

As of today, 23 people have been killed on WA's roads in 2021.

According to the RAC, another 300 lives will be lost if road deaths continue to happen at the current rate.

RAC General Manager Corporate Affairs Will Golsby said it’s a devastating start to a new year.

“Twenty-three isn’t just a number — it represents real people whose lives have been tragically cut short, with families and friends who are starting the new year by grieving the sudden loss of a loved one.

“The impact of these deaths is widespread and lasts a lifetime.

“We saw a major spike in road deaths toward the end of 2020 and sadly this upward trend has carried over into the new year.

“If deaths continue to occur at this alarming rate, we can expect another 300 people to be killed and thousands more seriously injured on Western Australian roads by the end of this year.”

Of the 23 fatalities on WA’s roads this year — nearly 60 per cent have occurred in regional WA.

“Clearly, COVID-19 has had a significant impact on travel patterns and behaviours with Western Australians exploring their own backyard a lot more, which means travelling on unfamiliar regional roads at high speeds over long distances,” Mr Golsby said.

“WA’s regions are some of the most dangerous places to drive anywhere in the country, with road deaths occurring at six times the rate of Perth.

“We all have a responsibility to help make our roads safer — let’s all drive like someone else’s life depends on it, because it often does.”