The WA Government is seeking to shape the behaviours and attitudes of the next generation of drivers and road users with the launch of a new, and tech-savvy, road safety education program for year nine students.
This program is set to utilise current technologies to provide the most realistic learning environment possible, through the use of virtual reality simulations to help students gain real-life, rather than theory-driven, experience, before they are themselves behind the wheel.
The program, called ‘Road Smart Interactive’, will build on the earlier Road Safety Commission’s ‘Road Smart Kickstart’ year seven and eight incursion program, which was an immersive, tech-driven program using hands-on digital learning stations covering the dangers of speed, distractions, fatigue, peer pressure and protective gear.
Road Smart Kickstart was free for all WA secondary schools and was presented in a manner to appeal to its young cohort. It was described as WA’s first attempt at gamified learning.
“In the program, students join Mia, Tom and Charlie as they road trip across regional WA and recount experiences that highlight how to stay safe on the road. Together, they move through five hands-on learning stations, gaining insights. Their new-found knowledge is then put to the test as they complete an escape room-style challenge,” say the Road Safety Commission.
Road Smart Interactive plans to extend this learning for older students through scenario‑based decision‑making and more complex road safety challenges, utilising the latest in immersive virtual reality technology to engage students in their role to eliminate road trauma.
“Thanks to a $15.2 million funding commitment in the December 2025-announced Road Safety Reform package, and a further $48.4 million funding boost announced in the 2026/27 State Budget, this funding will ensure life-saving road safety education is delivered to every year seven to nine student in Western Australia over the next four years,” a WA government spokesperson said.
“So far, in 2026, the Road Safety Commission is on track to complete about 500 incursion sessions reaching almost 14,000 students across the state, with booking spots still available.
“Objectives include inspiring positive behaviours through immersive, evidence-based learning, increasing awareness and understanding of key road safety issues, reinforcing the role young people play in keeping themselves and others safe and supporting teachers and school leaders to enhance road safety behaviours within their school communities.”
The Road Smart Interactive program was originally developed by Victoria’s Transport Accident Commission and has been modified and adapted to suit the local WA context.
In addition, grants of up to $5,000 are available exclusively to schools participating in a Road Smart incursion to support student-led behaviour change initiatives to make local communities safer.
Funding for the program is provided through the Road Trauma Trust Account, that sees 100 per cent of safety camera fines spent on projects that save lives and reduce trauma on WA roads.
Road Safety Minister Reece Whitby commented on the issue.
“It’s never too early to start learning about how to make good road safety decisions and how to put them into practice. We are therefore investing in cultivating a new generation of future road users that have the skills, education and the right attitude to keep themselves and others on the roads safe.
“Strong feedback from participating schools about the success of Road Safety Commission’s year seven and eight education program was the catalyst for expanding this program to year 9 students. New technology and virtual reality are helping us teach and shape safe driving to ensure every journey, no matter where or how far you’re travelling, is a safe trip.”
Education Minister Sabine Winton weighed in as well.
“Our schools play an important role in shaping safe behaviours and attitudes, and programs like this give students a hands-on opportunity to think about road safety and better understand the impact of the decisions they make every day.
“Road Smart Interactive brings those lessons to life through engaging, real-world experiences that help students make safer choices for themselves and others to stay with them for the rest of their lives.”
