WA is on track to record its deadliest year on the roads in almost two decades, with more than 200 lives forecast to be lost unless driver behaviour changes.

More than 110 people have already died on WA roads in 2026, putting the State on course for its highest annual road toll since 2008.

RAC head of communications Rhys Heron said road deaths had reached “crisis levels” and warned complacency behind the wheel was costing lives.

“If we keep going the way we’re going, we will likely see more than 200 people killed on our roads for the first time in 18 years,” he said.

“We need to put an end to the complacency which has caused road fatalities to start rising again — every life lost is an unacceptable, preventable tragedy.”

In 2025, 184 people died on WA roads after 188 fatalities in 2024.

Mr Heron said WA now had the highest road death rate per capita of any State despite once leading the nation in road safety.

A Road Safety Commission spokesperson said that every road death was unacceptable and urged motorists to take greater responsibility behind the wheel.

“Road safety is complex, challenging and constantly changing and it requires a unified community-driven approach to reduce fatalities,” they said.

The State Government says it is investing tens of millions of dollars into road safety through education campaigns, enforcement, safer road infrastructure and new technology, including AI cameras, regional point-to-point speed cameras and additional mobile safety camera trailers aimed at changing driver behaviour and reducing the road toll.