The RAC is pushing Western Australia’s major political parties to add an extra $40 million to the existing $60 million road safety expenditure.
RAC external manager member advocacy David Moir has been lobbying both political parties to commit extra funding in an effort to increase WA’s road safety record.
The move comes on the back of an advertising campaign that, while primarily aimed at RAC members, has a dual role in gaining support from politicians, according to Mr Moir.
“[The campaign] is primarily to make members recognise that there is more the RAC provides than the products, but it will also raise awareness for the issues,” he said.
Mr Moir said while the State Government had not cut spending on road safety, it was not doing enough.
“They spend $15 million a year on black spots, it should be $30 million. They spend $32 million a year on its road enhancement program, which includes the overtaking lanes and audible edge lining. That should be $50 million,” he said.
“Its Road Trauma Trust Fund education program should receive $20 million, it’s getting about $13 million this year.
“According to the [Gallop] Government’s own strategy this will be a major part of reducing death and injuries on the road.”
Mr Moir said while road deaths and injuries on WA roads were decreasing the State’s record nationally was nothing to gloat about.
“We are the fifth worst in the country in terms of the number of people killed per head of population [on the road],” he said.
“Ten to 15 years ago it was the best. We’ve slipped and while it’s improving it should be much better.”
Mr Moir said the television and press advertising campaign, produced by The Brand Agency, would educate members on the RAC’s advocacy role as well as its community initiatives.
“Our research showed the awareness of what we do wasn’t as high as we thought,” he said.
Three commercials will cover the advocacy role of the RAC, its sponsorship of community initiatives such as Neighbourhood Watch and Crime Stoppers and its road safety education initiatives.
