RAC figures find WA motorists think number of dangerous drivers has worsened

Almost 80 per cent of WA motorists say the number of distracted and dangerous drivers behind the wheel has worsened over the past two years, fresh data has revealed.

New figures by RAC found 77 per cent of road users claimed distracted drivers had increased since 2023, whilst 76 per cent said aggressive drivers had become more common.

About 74 per cent said traffic congestion had worsened, with a further 66 per cent declaring motorists were driving too fast for the conditions, and 66 per cent saying crashes and near misses become more frequent.

RAC external relations general manager Will Golsby said motorists needed to understand the “terrible reality” of what was happening on WA roads.

“Too many lives are being lost and serious injuries sustained,” he told The West.

“These are real people with families and communities who are left shattered by the consequences.

“It’s shocking that despite the many warnings and campaigns, members are still seeing drivers acting aggressively, driving too fast and getting distracted by their devices.”

Mr Golsby said the WA Government needed to invest more money into road safety in order to keep up with the State’s booming population.

“It’s good to see the WA and Australian Governments funding important projects, including regional road safety upgrades and new road safety cameras,” he said.

“But with WA’s population continuing to boom and road fatalities at crisis levels in WA, we need to see more action in education road users, upgrading our riskiest roads and intersections, and reviewing speed limits.

“Nothing is more important than making sure our loved ones arrive at their destinations safely.”

Up to 162 people have lost their lives on WA roads this year — nine more than the same time last year, and 36 more than the same time in 2023.

Of the 162, 79 fatalities were in the Perth metropolitan area, while 83 were killed in regional WA.

Just this week Theena Barton — 74-year-old Australia Post delivery driver and beloved grandmother — was tragically killed after her Hyundai Tuscon Star Track van collided into an Isuzu D Max ute at the Mitchell Freeway off ramp, near Hay Street, on Monday morning.

The cars then left the road and ploughed into the first floor of a nearby office building.

It comes just weeks after the WA Government began fining drivers who were caught on AI safety cameras flouting the law.

More than 300,000 West Australians have been caught driving without a seatbelt, using a mobile phone or speeding in the past eight months.

Of the 300,000 drivers, 70,000 were caught not wearing a seatbelt correctly, while 20,000 were captured not wearing a seatbelt at all.

A further 135,000 drivers were also photographed touching or using their mobile phone.