A member of the Labor Party, MP Kevin Michel, has publicly acknowledged his speeding violation after being recorded driving at nearly 150 km/h in a 110 km/h zone in the Pilbara region of Western Australia. His admission comes at a time when the state’s road safety issues are under intense scrutiny, with the road toll reaching a decade-high.
Mr. Michel confirmed he is prepared for a significant fine after being clocked at 147 km/h while operating a vehicle marked with Labor Party insignia. As he entered Parliament on Thursday, he expressed remorse, stating, “I apologise for my actions, and I’m sorry for what happened.” However, he chose not to engage further when questioned about the implications of his actions amidst rising road fatalities.
The road safety situation in Western Australia has become alarming, with 122 fatalities reported already in 2025. This statistic has prompted calls for increased accountability from drivers across the region.
In a statement, Mr. Michel reiterated his apology, acknowledging his speeding and emphasizing the importance of road safety. “While I am yet to receive an infringement, recently I was speeding in my electorate,” he said. “There is no excuse for speeding and I would like to apologise for my actions. Road safety is the responsibility of every driver on WA roads, including me. I know I have let my community down and I am sorry.”
Government Response to Rising Road Toll
The situation has drawn comments from Reece Whitby, the Road Safety Minister, who was approached for his perspective following Mr. Michel’s admission. Earlier in the day, Mr. Whitby had addressed the pressing issue of the increasing road toll during a press conference. He described the matter as a “community responsibility” while announcing the expansion of 40 km/h school zones at over 100 locations.
“It really comes down to the responsibility of everyone who sits behind the wheel of the car,” Mr. Whitby stated. He further highlighted that while the government aims to enhance safety measures, the ultimate goal is to prevent accidents rather than generate revenue from traffic violations. “We all need to take responsibility for this issue, so government will do as much as we can, and I intend to do a lot with the revenue that’s going to flow from safety cameras, quite frankly. But again, ideally, I don’t want any revenue. I want people to do the right thing behind the wheel.”
This incident has sparked discussions about the conduct of public officials and their influence on community standards, especially in light of the current road safety crisis. As the road toll continues to rise, both government officials and citizens are called upon to reflect on their roles in fostering safer driving practices across Western Australia.
