Michmutters

The risky WA roads motorists fear the most have been revealed, with Farrall Road in Midvale — the scene of a horrific accident where a 15-year-old boy was killed as he waited to cross the road with his friends — topping the list.

The road where Kayden McPhee was struck by a drunk driver in 2018 was identified as the city’s most dangerous by respondents to an RAC survey.

The 48-year-old driver Biju Paulose pleaded guilty to a string of charges, including unlawfully killing Kayden, dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm under the influence of alcohol and failing to stop to render assistance.

Kayden was taken to hospital but died nine days later from head injuries after his family made the decision to switch off his life support. His 16-year-old friend of him suffered life-threatening injuries and a 12-year-old was lucky to escape unscathed.

Orton Road, Byford, the scene of another fatal smash in 2020, also made the list for its poor road surface quality and lack of traffic separation.

A 26-year-old man was killed when an Acco rubbish truck collided with the Holden Commodore sedan he was driving near the intersection of Orton and Hopkinson Roads.

At the time, it was the second crash at the same intersection in two weeks, with locals labeling it a “death trap” on social media.

The RAC survey received more than 10,000 nominations from residents identifying streets and intersections in desperate need of safety upgrades.

RAC General Manager External Relations Will Golsby said the survey shone a spotlight on safety issues that were often overlooked.

“Driving or cycling to work shouldn’t be a stressful or dangerous experience, but unfortunately that’s the reality for many in Perth,” he said.

“This survey result shows there’s an urgent need for safety treatments across metropolitan Perth.

“There are some great opportunities for low-cost intersection upgrades and better walking and cycling paths.”

Other city roads to appear in the top 10 risky roads include Mitchell Freeway southbound in West Perth, the scene of a smash in December last year that killed one person, injured two others, and led to hours of gridlock.

Respondents also slammed the confusing layout of the Canning Highway interchange on Kwinana Freeway southbound.

The regional road considered WA’s riskiest was the stretch of South Western Highway between Bunbury and Walpole — also picked up in a previous survey — criticized for its narrowness, tight curves and blind crests and lack of overtaking opportunities.

The intersection of Marmion Avenue and Seacrest Drive in the beachside suburb of Sorrento topped the list of Perth’s riskiest road junctions, with residents calling for traffic lights or a roundabout.

An intersection in Albany, between Albany Highway and South Coast Highway was named worst in the regions.

Mr Golsby said the RAC would work with government and road safety agencies to find solutions to ultimately reduce the impact of road trauma.

“Someone is killed or seriously injured on our roads every five hours,” he said.

“That’s why the feedback from this campaign is so important – it will continue to amplify our calls for safer roads across Perth.”

Road Safety Commission figures show there have been 80 deaths on WA roads in the past 12 months.

WA’s top 10 risky roads

1. Farrall Road, Midvale

2. Mitchell Freeway (southbound), West Perth

3. Neaves Road, Banksia Grove to Bullsbrook

4. Orton Road, Casuarina to Byford

5. Kargotich Road, Oakford

6. Kwinana Freeway (southbound) Canning Hwy interchange

7. Thomas Road, Casuarina to Byford

8. Flynn Drive, Carramar, Neerabup

9. Mundizong Road, Baldivis to Mundizong

10. Walter Place, North Fremantle