2 August, 2022
If you drive through the busy Marmion Avenue and Seacrest Drive intersection in Sorrento, you’re passing through the intersection recently voted as the least safe in Perth.
RAC’s 2022 Risky Roads Survey asked Western Australians to nominate the roads and intersections they believed presented the greatest risks to road users.
The survey received more than 10,000 nominations identifying busy streets, highways and intersections in desperate need of safety upgrades across the state.
In regional WA, the Chester Pass roundabout north of Albany was the state’s riskiest intersection, topping the list for the second time running.
Among the single stretches of road voted as the worst, Midvale’s Farrall Road came in at number one, while the section of South Western Highway from Bunbury to Walpole was named regional WA’s riskiest.
Second on the list for Perth roads was the Mitchell Freeway southbound in West Perth, where multiple lanes merge and cause confusion as the Mitchell becomes the Kwinana Freeway.
The notoriously complicated rail-and-traffic crossing on Victoria Street, Curtin Avenue and Stirling Highway in Cottesloe claimed second spot on the risky intersections list.
RAC General Manager External Relations Will Golsby said the Risky Roads Survey shines a spotlight on safety issues that can often be overlooked.
“Driving or cycling to work shouldn’t be a stressful or dangerous experience, but unfortunately that’s become the reality for many in Perth,” Golsby says.
“Someone is killed or seriously injured on our roads every five hours, that’s why feedback from this campaign is so important as it will continue to amplify our calls for safer roads across WA.”
Among the 10 riskiest regional intersections, the top two have already received commitments for infrastructure upgrades, and a reduced speed limit is being trialled on Bussell Highway in Capel, following a strong community campaign.
Regional WA is consistently overrepresented in road trauma and last year the Great Southern and South West were the worst regions in the state for road deaths.
Last year, 166 people were killed in road trauma incidents in WA – 67 in Perth and 99 in regional areas.
Golsby says the survey results underline the urgent need for safety treatments across WA’s road network.
“There are some great opportunities for low-cost intersection upgrades along with better walking and cycling paths.
“We’ll now work with government and road safety agencies to address community concerns, to work towards solutions, and to ultimately reduce the impact of road trauma.”
(Skip to regional roads and intersections)
Top 10 risky roads - Perth
1. Farrall Road, Midvale
The section of Farrall Road through Midvale was nominated for the poor quality of the road surface, for having poor or no pedestrian access or footpath and inadequate road lighting.
2. Mitchell Freeway (southbound), West Perth
This choke point on the Mitchell Freeway is especially risky to navigate during afternoon and evening peak hour. Multiple merge points make it difficult for vehicles to safely merge across lanes. It was also nominated for the confusing layout.
3. Neaves Road, Banksia Grove to Bullsbrook
A lack of overtaking opportunities, poor road surface quality as well as tight curves and bends saw this section of road in Bullsbrook voted as the third on the list of risky Perth roads.
4. Orton Road, Casuarina to Byford
Lack of median strips and traffic separation, with narrow passes on the road as well as poor road surface quality were key issues on this section or Orton Road.
5. Kargotich Road, Oakford
Poor road surface quality was a safety concern on Kargotich Road through Oakford in addition to narrow sections of road.
6. Kwinana Freeway (southbound) Canning Highway & Manning Road entry/exit
A confusing road layout which made it difficult for vehicles to merge into the correct lanes was a key concern on this southbound section of Kwinana Freeway at Canning Highway.
7. Thomas Road, Casuarina to Byford
A poor road surface and little chance for vehicles to turn or cross traffic were called out as issues on this part of Thomas Road as was the confusing road layout.
8. Flynn Drive, Carramar to Neerabup
Tight curves/blind crests, speeding vehicles and a speed limit which is too high were major safety issues named for this section of Flynn Drive.
9. Mundijong Road, Baldivis to Mundijong
Poor road lighting and the quality of the road surface were among the safety issues affecting this section of Mundijong Road.
10. Walter Place, North Fremantle
Concerns were raised about the poor access for cyclists on Walter Place, in addition to vehicles travelling over the speed limit.
Top 10 risky intersections - Perth
1. Marmion Avenue & Seacrest Drive, Sorrento
This busy intersection was named as being in need of traffic signals or a roundabout and also a reduction in the speed limit to improve safety.
2. Victoria Street, Stirling Highway & Curtin Avenue, Cottesloe
This intersection includes a railway crossing and was cited as being unsafe for pedestrians and had a difficult right-hand turn on to Curtin Avenue and also on to Stirling Highway.
3. Campersic Road & Haddrill Road, Baskerville
Confusing road signage was a key safety issue raised for this Baskerville intersection. Survey respondents also felt it needed a roundabout or traffic signals.
4. Mandurah Road & Anstey Road, Secret Harbour
Turning across traffic was reported as being difficult here and the speed limit through the area as being too high.
5. Ocean Reef Road & Edgewater Drive, Edgewater
Traffic lights or a roundabout were seen as being a necessary safety improvement at this Edgewater intersection.
6. Baldivis Road & Kulija Road, Baldivis
Difficulty turning across traffic and a confusing road layout were two key concerns for the Baldivis and Kulija roads intersection.
7. Rowley Road & Lyon Road, Aubin Grove
Vegetation obstructing driver visibility was creating unsafe conditions in addition to the difficulty many drivers experienced here turning across traffic.
8. Hossack Avenue & Willeri Drive, Parkwood
There were issues at this intersection with vehicles being able to turn across traffic and a confusing road layout.
9. Ennis Avenue & Royal Palm Drive, Warnbro
Traffic signals or a roundabout were seen as being necessary to improve safety at this intersection. In addition, the speed limit through the area was seen as being too high.
10. Armadale Road & Eighth Road, Armadale
Turning across traffic was difficult here with respondents nominating traffic signals or a roundabout as needed to improve safety.
Top 10 risky roads - Regional WA
1. South Western Highway, Bunbury to Walpole
Narrow roads, lack of overtaking lanes, tight curves and blind quests were nominated as contributing to this section of road being voted as regional WA’s least safe.
2. Great Eastern Highway, the Lakes to Coolgardie
Poor road surface quality was a key issue on this section of Great Eastern Highway, as was the lack of overtaking opportunities.
3. Albany Highway, Armadale to Albany
Poor road surface quality was also an issue on larges sections of Albany Highway, as were the narrow passes on some parts.
4. Indian Ocean Drive, Yanchep to Arrowsmith
With a poor safety record, the section of Indian Ocean Drive between Yanchep and Arrowsmith was singled out as being dangerous due to a lack of overtaking lanes and tight curves.
5. South Coast Highway, Walpole to Esperance
Poor road quality, lack of overtaking lanes and narrow passes were the key concerns highlighted on the journey from Walpole to Esperance.
6. Bussell Highway, Cowaramup
Pedestrian safety was called out as a key safety issue along Bussell Highway in Cowaramup, due to unsafe pedestrian crossings. Confusing road signage was also identified as needing improvement.
7. Great Southern Highway, York to Brookton
Passing through several Wheatbelt towns, this section of the Great Southern Highway was named as needing more overtaking lanes and improvements in the quality of the road surface.
8. Chapman Valley Road, Naraling
Tight curves and blind crests, along with a poor road surface, were blamed as contributing to unsafe driving conditions on Chapman Valley Road around Naraling in the Mid West region.
9. Denmark-Mount Barker Road, Denmark to Mount Barker
Winding through farmland and forest, the Denmark-Mount Barker Road was cited as unsafe due to the poor road surface and few opportunities to safely overtake.
10. Great Northern Highway, Port Hedland to Newman
This section of Great Northern Highway passes through remote areas of the Pilbara. It was named as unsafe due to a lack of safe overtaking opportunities and the poor quality of the road surface.
Top 10 risky intersections - Regional WA
1. Albany Highway & South Coast Highway (Chester Pass roundabout), Albany
This major roundabout which provides access into the city of Albany was named as the least safe regional intersection due to a confusing layout.
2. Bussell Highway & Capel Drive (south intersection), Capel
Speeding vehicles and difficulties in turning across traffic were named as major contributors to the unsafe conditions at this intersection.
3. Forrest Highway & Raymond Road, Australind
Called out as dangerous due to vehicles regularly exceeding the speed limit, this intersection was named as one in need of traffic signals or a roundabout.
4. Forrest Highway & Pinjarra Road, Ravenswood
A poorly timed traffic light system was one of the major issues seen as affecting road user safety at this intersection, as were vehicles travelling over the speed limit.
5. Forrest Highway & Binningup Road, Binningup
Busy with locals and travellers going to and from the South West, the speed limit on the approach to this intersection was seen as being too high. There were also concerns with the difficulty vehicles had turning across traffic.
6. Caves Road & Yallingup Beach Road, Yallingup
This South West intersection also sees a high volume of traffic from locals as well as travellers. Turning across traffic was a key issue here and it was suggested that traffic signals or roundabout were needed to improve safety.
7. Bussell Highway & Memorial Drive, Cowaramup
This was another intersection in the Margaret River region where turning across traffic was seen as a key safety issue and where traffic signals or a roundabout were nominated as ways to reduce crash risks.
8. East Hyden Bin Road & Hyden-Lake King Road, Hyden
A lack of overtaking lanes on approaching roads and difficulty in turning across traffic were among the safety issues raised for this intersection in the Wheatbelt.
9. Bussell Highway & Sues Road, Yalyalup
The speed limits on the approaches to this intersection were considered too high and the high volume of traffic travelling at high speed made it dangerous to make turns into the intersection.
10. South Coast Highway & Strickland Street, Denmark
A confusing road layout was one of the key safety issues raised for this intersection. Turning safely between oncoming traffic was also a problem.
Why your votes matter so much
RAC’s Risky Roads Survey received more than 10,000 nominations from Western Australians right across the state, who called out the streets, highways and intersections they felt posed a safety risk to road users. Thank you to everyone who took part in the survey. The results will help us advocate for the safety upgrades needed to make our roads and intersections safer.
Find out more about all the ways we're working to make WA's roads safer.
