RAC pleads with drivers to plan ahead this festive season as WA grapples with horror annual road toll of 178

RAC has pleaded with drivers to take “extra care” on the road this festive season, with statistics showing road deaths peaked at the end of December last year. In the final two weeks of last year, 12 people were killed on WA roads — twice the five-year average. Nine people were killed on WA roads during the same period in 2022. This year, WA is grappling with a horror road toll, which has so far reached 178 — the highest on record since 2016. RAC external relations general managers Will Gosby asked drivers to plan ahead, organise a designated driver and watch their speed. “We’ve experienced a tragic year for road deaths, so we’re pleading with Western Australians to take extra care on the roads as the year comes to a close,” he said. “Far too many people are already suffering the tragic consequences of road trauma and we don’t want to have an end to the year like last year. “The best gift you can give this festive season is ensuring you and your passengers arrive safely. “Nothing is more important than that.” It comes just days after a motorcyclist was killed in a crash on Brand Highway, Muchea, after colliding with a black Toyota Prado on Saturday afternoon. The 49-year-old was the 39th motorcyclist to die on WA roads this year.