A new analysis of speed‐related road fatalities in the South West has prompted RAC to call for the community to express their views on speed limits and speeding.
In the past five years, 19 road fatalities in the region were caused by crashes in which speeding was a factor, 11 of which occurred in 2017.
RAC corporate affairs manager Will Golsby said speeding had a profound impact on communities, and even on lower speed roads, driving over the limit could have deadly consequences.
“Many WA drivers are of the opinion that sitting a few kilometres over the speed limit is acceptable,” he said.
“However, every time you exceed the speed limit, even by five kilometres per hour, you’re significantly increasing the chance of serious injury or even death.”
Mr Golsby said there was no such thing as safe or low‐level speeding.
“Speed limits are there for a reason and should be adhered to at all times, especially on suburban streets where we generally see more vulnerable road users such as children, cyclists and pedestrians,” he said.
Speeding remains the leading cause of road fatalities across WA.
This statistic has led RAC to release a new Speed Survey asking WA communities for feedback on the issue.
Mr Golsby urged the public to participate.
“It is critical that as a state we have a strong understanding of the impact of speed in local communities and what people think could be solutions,” he said.
RAC’s Speed Survey can be completed at rac.com.au/speedsurvey.
