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Where and how to report road hazards
Where to report hazards and incidents that happen on our roads and paths, to make travel safer for all road users.
Published
5 min read
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Published
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By Vanessa Pogorelic
In addition to motor vehicle crashes, there are many other emergencies, incidents, and hazards on our roads that need to be attended to by the relevant authorities to make our roads and paths safe.
Whether you witness hooning drivers, come across fallen debris, downed powerlines or faulty streetlights, it is important to know who to contact in each instance.
Here are some of the more common incidents you should report and how to report them.
Lost loads
Each year, debris falling from unsecured loads causes road closures and disruptions, and can be a contributor to crashes. Debris can also cause significant damage to vehicles and property.
Transporting a load on your vehicle that is not properly secured is an offence, so make sure everything is well tied down and doesn’t protrude in a way that is likely to injure someone, obstruct the path of other road users, or damage a vehicle or anything else before you take off.
All items or loads secured to your vehicle or a trailer you are towing should be fastened with appropriate restraints and secured in a way that would prevent any movement of the load, and doesn’t negatively affect the stability of the vehicle, particularly in the event you need to brake or swerve suddenly.
When carrying a load, pull over to a safe location and check it during your trip to make sure it is still secure, and always stop to check it after you’ve swerved or braked forcefully, as soon as it’s safe to do so.
For hazards on the road that need immediate attention, contact Main Roads WA on 138 138. Or you can also use the Main Roads WA online reporting form and choose ‘Report an issue'.
You can also report any littering or dumping of rubbish from a vehicle through the Keep Australia Beautiful Council Litter Report Scheme. To make a report, you will need the vehicle registration, make, model, and colour, the date, time and place of the offence, the type of litter that was deposited and a description of the person who littered. To register, visit report-litter.kabc.wa.gov.au.
Traffic lights not working or road surface faults
Main Roads WA is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to receive feedback on malfunctioning traffic lights, damaged road surfaces, and any other road faults. Call 138 138 or use the Main Roads WA online reporting form and choose ‘Report an issue'.
Fallen powerlines
During a storm, powerlines are at risk of being brought down by the force of the wind or may be cut by another structure falling across them.
If you come across a fallen powerline, you should exercise extreme caution. Electricity from powerlines can jump or 'arc' through the air and travel to earth through your body resulting in an electric shock, so even if you’re not close enough to be in contact with the lines, you may still be at risk of electrocution. Western Power says you should stand a minimum of eight metres away.
You should never touch anything that may be in contact with a fallen powerline, such as tree branches.
To report a fallen powerline, call Western Power’s 24-hour emergency number on 13 13 51.
Faulty streetlights
Good street lighting is essential for providing adequate visibility of the road environment during hours of darkness. Streetlights also provide additional security in public spaces.
If you notice a streetlight has a fault or is not working, you can report it to Western Power through the Streetlight Issues form on their website. Simply enter the street address and click on the faulty light or lights on the map.
Once an issue has been reported, it should usually be fixed within five business days in the metropolitan area and major regional centres, and within nine business days in rural areas.
To report faulty street lighting on any local roads, visit Western Power's streetlight reporting form.
For faulty streetlighting on freeways and main arterial roads, the issue should be reported to Main Roads WA. Visit the Main Roads WA online reporting form and choose ‘Report an issue'’.
Hooning
You can report hooning or other reckless driving to the WA Police through their Report a Hoon form (Traffic Complaint Form).
Some of the details you’ll be asked to provide include a description of the behaviour and the driver, the date, time, and location, and the vehicle registration, make, model, and colour.
The WA Police website states that, when making a report, photographic or video evidence can also assist in confirming details, such as the vehicle registration and description, the driver description, and the driving behaviour witnessed. However, it’s important not to put yourself at risk trying to collect this evidence.
To make a report, go to the report hoon/dangerous driving info page. You'll need to create a WA police online account to submit the form. If immediate police attendance is required, call 131 444 to report the incident.
After a crash
For RAC members, you'll find details on what to do after a vehicle crash, including reporting, on our After a Crash Fact Sheet.
Snap, send, solve app
Issues such as illegal parking, dumped rubbish, and abandoned cars can be reported through the Snap, Send, Solve app, which connects you to local councils and many other organisations. Download the app from the App Store or Google Play.