Key Takeaways
- The death toll on WA roads fell slightly in 2025, with 181 people deaths, compared to 188 in 2024
- Regional areas in WA saw more deaths, with 98 people killed on country roads compared to 83 in the city
- People aged 20 to 29 were the most likely to die on the roads, followed by those aged 30 to 39
- The improvement in WA bucked the countrywide trend, with 2025 being the worst year in Australia for road deaths in a decade
- The Australian Automobile Association has urged the federal government to reassess its overall approach to road safety
Introduction to Road Safety Statistics
The latest road fatality statistics for Western Australia (WA) have been released, showing a slight decrease in the number of deaths on the state’s roads in 2025. According to the official statistics, which were updated on December 22, 181 people lost their lives on WA roads in 2025, compared to 188 in 2024. However, this number is still higher than the average for the decade. The statistics also reveal that regional areas in WA were disproportionately affected, with 98 people killed on country roads compared to 83 in the city.
Demographics of Road Fatalities
The statistics also provide insight into the demographics of those who lost their lives on WA roads in 2025. People aged 20 to 29 were the most likely to die on the roads, followed by those aged 30 to 39. Sadly, seven children aged under 16 also lost their lives in 2025. In terms of the types of vehicles involved, 114 of the deaths were in cars, 33 were pedestrians, 27 were riding motorbikes, and seven were riding bikes. These statistics highlight the importance of targeted road safety initiatives and education campaigns to reduce the risk of accidents and fatalities on WA roads.
National Road Safety Trends
The improvement in WA’s road safety statistics is in contrast to the national trend, which saw 2025 become the worst year for road deaths in a decade. According to data from the National Road Safety Hub, 1332 people died on Australian roads up to November, a three per cent increase from 2024. This is the worst year nationally since 2010, when 1353 lives were lost on Australian roads. The Australian Automobile Association has urged the federal government to reassess its overall approach to road safety, citing the need for a better understanding of the causes of the rising road toll.
Road Safety Initiatives
In response to the rising road toll, the WA government has implemented various road safety initiatives. In the lead-up to the holiday period, WA Police pledged a zero-tolerance policy for dodgy drivers, with a double demerit period in effect from December 19 to January 4. Police also significantly ramped up their presence across WA to keep an eye out for bad driving behavior. Additionally, WA rolled out new smart cameras in 2025, which picked up more than 380,000 offences in eight months. These cameras were installed across Perth and regional WA, and were used to detect drivers engaging in dangerous behavior such as speeding, using their mobile phone, and not wearing a seatbelt.
Police Enforcement
The WA Police have also emphasized the importance of enforcement in reducing the road toll. Road Policing Command commander Mike Peters stated that police would be deployed around WA with a particular focus on the 400km "arc of influence" around Perth, spanning south to Bunbury, east to Merredin, and north to Lancelin. Cmdr. Peters emphasized that police would be taking a zero-tolerance approach to speed, impairment, seat belts, and distraction, and would continue to enforce these laws to reduce the risk of accidents and fatalities on WA roads.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while the road fatality statistics for WA in 2025 show a slight decrease, the state still has a long way to go in terms of reducing the road toll. The statistics highlight the importance of targeted road safety initiatives and education campaigns, particularly in regional areas and among young people. The WA government’s initiatives, such as the roll-out of smart cameras and increased police presence, are steps in the right direction. However, more needs to be done to address the rising road toll nationally, and the Australian Automobile Association’s call for a reassessment of the federal government’s approach to road safety is a timely reminder of the need for a coordinated and effective approach to reducing the risk of accidents and fatalities on Australian roads.