Five fatal crashes within the space of just a few days have marked a grim start to Western Australia’s Christmas holiday break.
A crash in Margaret River on Thursday, December 19 claimed the life of a 74-year-old man after his Kia Optima left the road and hit a tree on Walcliffe Road about 5.35pm.
A 24-year-old man died in a crash in Landsdale on Thursday, December 19.Credit: 9News Perth
Later that night, a Mazda 626 hit a tree on Alexander Drive in Landsdale, in Perth’s north-east. The driver, a 24-year-old man, died at the scene.
Days later, on Sunday, December 22, three more people died in three separate crashes across the state’s south-west.
About 6pm, Holden Jackaroo hit a tree while driving on Emu Fence Road, near Meranda North Road in Mount Holland, about 500 kilometres east of Perth.
The driver, a 23-year-old man, was taken by ambulance to Northam Hospital to be treated for non life-threatening injuries, but a 31-year-old man in the passenger seat died at the scene.
A crash involving a black sedan and a motorbike claimed the life of the motorbike rider in Canning Vale on Sunday, December 22. Credit: 9News Perth
Barely two hours later at 7.50pm, an off-road motorbike crashed on Nanarup Beach, east of Albany, killing the 25-year-old rider.
And later that night, a rider was killed when their motorbike and a black sedan collided on Nicholson Road in Canning Vale about 11.10pm.
The motorbike rider died at the scene, and the 18-year-old driver of the sedan was taken to Royal Perth Hospital.
The spate of crashes came as the double-demerit period began on WA’s roads, with police warning they were out in force to crack down on the “fatal five” this holiday season.
Road Policing acting Commander Mike Peters said WA Police was continuing the mantra of “anywhere, anytime”.
“The message is simple: don’t speed,” he said.
“Every police vehicle across the state will be undertaking some form of enforcement and our safety camera fleet will also be out in force.
“One life lost on our roads is one too many, we urge everyone to drive safe this holiday season and keep in mind the safety of yourself and the safety of others.”
WA’s road toll now sits at 183 fatal crashes for the year, edging closer to the recent high of 195 deaths in 2016.
But there is still a way to go to match the horror seen on WA roads in 2007, when 235 people died, making for a fatality rate of 11.1 per 100,000 people.
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