Julie Freeman
The road toll in West Australia has reached alarming levels in 2025, prompting a renewed focus on road safety as the summer holiday season approaches. Each life lost in traffic accidents represents a deep personal tragedy, affecting families, friends, and communities. The emotional toll is profound, often leaving empty seats at gatherings and voids in workplaces.
Understanding the Human Impact
Every fatality on the road is more than just a statistic; it signifies a parent, a child, a colleague, or a friend. Families are left to grapple with grief, while workplaces lose valuable team members. The impact reverberates throughout communities, as individuals who contributed positively are suddenly absent. The reality is that these tragedies extend well beyond the immediate moment and affect the lives of many.
Julie Freeman, the Shadow Minister for Road Safety, emphasizes the need for a collective wake-up call regarding road safety. The summer period is characterized by increased traffic and unique challenges, including long drives to coastal destinations and celebrations that may involve alcohol or drugs. Despite being known risks, these factors continue to contribute to preventable deaths each year.
Personal Responsibility and Community Action
A critical aspect of enhancing road safety is recognizing the shared responsibility between individuals and policymakers. While the government must invest in safer roads, enhanced enforcement, and effective education campaigns, the choices made by each driver are equally important.
In rural areas of West Australia, the challenges are compounded. Accidents occurring far from hospitals or emergency services can lead to devastating delays in accessing help. First responders, both paid and volunteer, display remarkable dedication in their efforts to assist those in crisis. Their work under such strenuous circumstances deserves recognition, as does the commitment to reduce the frequency of incidents requiring their intervention.
To mitigate risks on the road, Freeman encourages all West Australians to adopt several simple yet impactful safety measures:
“Every West Australian can make choices today that protect themselves and others on the road.”
These measures include:
- Slow down: Reducing speed can be the difference between a close call and a fatal accident.
- Put the phone away: Distracted driving is a rapidly growing cause of road trauma.
- Take breaks: Fatigue can impair driving abilities; resting is essential.
- Avoid driving under the influence: Plan ahead to ensure safe transportation options.
- Wear seatbelts: Proper restraint remains one of the most effective life-saving measures.
- Be a responsible passenger: Support safe driving by minimizing distractions and assisting with navigation.
Freeman has heard firsthand from families who are forever changed by tragic accidents. They seek answers and, more importantly, desire change to prevent others from experiencing similar heartache. The goal is to ensure the 2025 road toll does not become another chapter in a tragic narrative but rather a pivotal moment for improvement.
As West Australians prepare to celebrate the summer season, Freeman urges everyone to reflect on their choices before getting behind the wheel. Consider the loved ones waiting for you at home and the potential consequences of your decisions on the road.
Reducing the road toll is achievable with concerted efforts from the government, consistent law enforcement, investment in infrastructure, and a cultural shift towards prioritizing safety. Ultimately, it requires individual accountability and a commitment to safeguarding lives. Together, if each person pledges to be a responsible driver and supportive passenger, more families can enjoy happy memories this summer instead of enduring loss.
