Extract from ABC News
Paramedic Deane Coxall thinks drivers should see the harrowing scenes first responders see every day on the roads. (ABC News: Mya Kordic)
In short:
An e-scooter rider has become the latest death on WA roads after being struck by a truck in Perth's southern suburbs.
So far in 2025, 108 people have died on WA roads, a figure not seen in at least 10 years — two recent deaths will be added to the statistics in coming days.
A road safety expert says speed is the largest issue, while a paramedic is urging drivers to change their behaviour to prevent further tragedy.
The number of people who have lost their lives on Western Australia's roads has reached a grim height not seen in at least a decade — and authorities appear perplexed on what more they can proactively do to prevent more tragedy.
After a tragic 24 hours on the roads last week, the state has recorded 108 deaths so far in 2025 — the highest year-to-date level since at least 2015.
And in the past 24 hours, another two people have died, including a 35-year-old e-scooter rider who was hit by a truck in Bibra Lake on Tuesday morning.
Around the same time, a 73-year-old died in a crash between his sedan and a ute near Bridgetown.
What to do about the soaring road toll is something many now agree isn't just an issue for the politicians — but for drivers themselves.
"We need to be conscious about the choices we make when we get behind the wheel," WA Road Safety Commissioner Adrian Warner said on Saturday.
WA Road Safety Commissioner Adrian Warner says is urging road users to stay safe. (ABC News: Briana Shepherd)
"All of these deaths are preventable if people make safer choices."
If it's not a lack of targeted policy aimed at preventing road deaths, then the crux of the issue is something much harder — fundamentally changing driver behaviour.
It's something experts think can be done, albeit with a completely different way of thinking.
Speed largest contributor
University of Western Australia Centre for Road Safety Research Director Professor Teresa Senserrick said speed was the largest contributor to road crashes.
"We commonly like to blame the roads or other factors … WA seems to be very accepting of fatigue as being risky, of alcohol and drugs in your system being risky — but not so much speed," she said.
For Dr Senserrick, driving over the speed limit can be as bad as fatigue. (ABC News: Aran Hart)
"Driving several kilometres over the speed limit, is like driving over 0.05 and it's like driving after you've been awake for about 19 hours."
Ms Senserrick said while investment in safety cameras and regional roads would help prevent crashes, it comes down to the individual.
"Until the system is perfect and we can correct for human error — we really need people to step up,"she said.
She suggested more emphasis should be placed on strategies to better manage speed.
A crash site in Serpentine earlier this month, where a male driver died. (ABC News)
"A very real factor in people speeding is that they feel pressure when the rest of the traffic seems to be going faster," Ms Senserrick said.
"They feel that they will be a hazard if they stick to the speed limit because people will get aggressive around them and this is where it becomes the shared responsibility as individuals."
Paramedic frustrated
The spate of road deaths has prompted emergency frontline responders to speak up as the rising number of fatal and serious crashes continues to take a lasting toll on them.
Deane Coxall says attending fatal crash scenes were a "really harrowing experience." (ABC News: Mya Kordic)
St John WA special operations manager Deane Coxall said attending those scenes were a "really harrowing experience".
"I remember a lot of the jobs that I have been to and they will stick with me for a very long time,"he said.
"I think if road users experienced what we experienced, I think if they saw what we see in our daily business, I think they would understand the real impacts that these crashes have and what we carry with us."
Paramedics regularly see drivers doing the wrong things while out on jobs. (ABC News: Kenith Png)
Mr Coxall said every fatal crash caused a ripple effect and it was extremely frustrating to see drivers continue to make poor decisions.
"We see people that are distracted either by the radio or the mobile phone, we see people not wearing seatbelts.
"It's so saddening and it's so frustrating that we know that one day these will lead to an accident which could harm the road user and or their family and or the wider community."
He's pleading for road users to change their behaviour to avoid further tragedies.
A 40-year-old man died after the car he was driving collided with a truck in Mariginiup on July 4. (ABC News)
"Slow down, particularly in inclement weather, you need to give yourself a little bit more space, a little more distance," he said.
"Don't be distracted and if you're fatigued, stop, take a break [because] we need to stop these road accidents happening in the first place."
Wide-reaching impacts
Psychologist and general manager of Road Trauma Support WA Ian Holbrook said road trauma could impact not just those involved in a crash, but bystanders, first responders and family members.
Before drivers are behind the wheel, Mr Holbrook said people should remember driving was a privilege, not a right.
Ian Holbrook says people involved in a crash aren't the only ones impacted. (ABC News: Mya Kordic)
"When it's [driving] not done right the impacts can be extremely catastrophic, not only for people affected by the actual crash but family members and loved ones around that as well," he said.
Mr Holbrook said a road accident could have psychological or financial impacts.
He added funding from the Road Safey Commission helped to support people in regional WA, who were "more affected" by road trauma, by expanding the organisation's clinical space.
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