Road Safety

Young drivers aged 17 to 19 are three times more likely to have a crash resulting in death than drivers aged 20 years or older so it’s important to plan to make every journey safe this Leavers.

You can find out everything you need to know to get you and your mates to Leavers and home safe at Wheelmates.wa.gov.au.

You can even have a crack at a Wheelmates Road Quest to see if you’ve got what it takes for an incident free journey.

Take a moment to review the St John WA DRSABCD Action Plan before you head to Leavers. Knowing these basic steps can help you stay calm and act quickly if someone around you is injured or unwell.

The DRSABCD Action Plan outlines what to do in an emergency, including checking for danger, responding to the person, sending for help, opening the airway, checking breathing, starting CPR and using a defibrillator if one is available.

Even a quick refresher can make a big difference in a stressful situation and may help you save a life while waiting for emergency services to arrive.

Before you get in the car:

  • Plan your route: Know where you’re going and how to get there.
  • Share the drive: Switch drivers every two hours to avoid fatigue.
  • Check your ride: Tyres, lights, oil, water - make sure it’s good to go!
  • Download offline maps and playlists: No signal, no problem!
  • Tell someone your plans: Share your route and estimated arrival time.
  • Get a good night’s sleep: There’s no substitute for a full night’s rest.

On the road:

  • Red plate? One mate. Remember Tom’s Law.
  • Buckle up: Wear your seatbelt correctly and ensure all passengers are wearing their seatbelt correctly. No excuses.
  • Phone down, eyes up: Passenger = DJ & navigator.
  • Take regular breaks: Stretch your legs, have a snack, stay alert.
  • Don’t drink and drive: Ever.
  • Reduce distractions: Save the loud music for the party, not the car.
  • Drive to the conditions: Slow down if it’s wet, dark, or unfamiliar

Pedestrian Safety:

  • Use footpaths. If there are none, walk on the far right so you can see and react to oncoming traffic.
  • Move off the road until the vehicle passes.
  • Avoid texting while walking.
  • Walk under streetlights or ensure you have a torch light on you.
  • Look out for each other and stay together.
  • Consider wearing bright clothing if walking at night.
  • Make sure to look after your mates.

What to do if you see a crash on the road:

  • Follow the appropriate steps of the DRSABCD
  • Check it’s safe before you help, especially on roads.
  • Call Triple Zero (000) - The St John communications officer will talk you through First Aid and will help keep you calm.
  • Check and open the airways of those involved in the crash by a simple tilt of the head - a closed airway is the most common cause of death.

Be prepared:

  • Download St John’s First Responder App - it provides a GPS location when a Triple Zero (000) call is activated through the app and has free First Aid guides.
  • Spend 30 minutes completing First Aid for New Drivers - a free online first aid course designed for new drivers.
  • Consider purchasing a first aid kit for your car.

For more information about staying safe on the road this Leavers, visit the Road Safety Commission website.