Media Release | 9 July 2025
Hon. Julie Freeman MLC
Shadow Minister for Road Safety
Shadow Road Safety Minister Hon Julie Freeman MLC has today warned that road safety in Western Australia is at crisis point, following a devastating spate of fatal crashes that has pushed the 2025 road toll to 108 just halfway through the year.
“With six fatal crashes in just four days, we are on track for the worst road toll since 2008, when 205 Western Australians lost their lives. Every one of the 108 lives lost is a heartbreaking tragedy for families, friends, workmates, and communities.”
Ms Freeman also highlighted the broader impact of road trauma, which goes far beyond the immediate toll.
“In addition to the human cost, road trauma costs Western Australia an estimated $2.4 billion every year. That’s money lost from our economy, our health system, and our communities.”
“For every life lost, many more lives are changed forever through injury. The Insurance Commission of WA is processing up to 400 crash-related claims every month. These represent real people dealing with pain, trauma and long-term recovery.”
Ms Freeman criticised the Labor Government for being too slow to act on road safety, particularly in regional areas where road users remain overrepresented in the statistics.
“The vast majority of crashes are preventable, yet the Government has waited until its eighth year in office to make meaningful commitments to enforcement, technology and regional road upgrades.”
She called for an urgent shift in priorities, urging the Government to suspend non-essential projects and reallocate funds to life-saving road safety initiatives.
“How can the Premier justify pouring taxpayer money into projects like the 217.5-million-dollar Burswood Racetrack when Western Australians are dying on our roads.”
Ms Freeman also questioned why the Government’s long-promised initiatives have yet to be delivered.
“Where are the education and awareness campaigns? Where are the road safety treatments across the 8,000km of local government roads? Where are the 8,000 additional police hours dedicated to traffic enforcement?”
While waiting for the Government to respond to what is clearly a crisis, Ms Freeman urged Western Australians to take personal responsibility on the roads.
“Whether you’re driving, walking, cycling or using an e-rideable, stay alert and follow the rules. We all play a role in keeping our roads safe.”
“Everyone deserves to arrive home safely, no matter where in Western Australia they live.”
ENDS
