Police concerned at local death toll

A spate of recent fatal collisions on and around Caves Road has police and safety advocates alarmed. The influx of more West Australians holidaying in the South West due to the COVID-19 pandemic has poured water on long-held beliefs foreign drivers were at greatest risk. Last week’s horrific single-car collision near the Boranup Forest could increase the urgency of a long-touted, as-yet unfunded major upgrade to the tourism route. A man died after his car hit a tree on Caves Road about 3am last Sunday. The lone occupant was found incinerated, trapped in the burnt wreck of his car after emergency services were alerted to the fire. The incident was the second fatal crash on Caves Road within two weeks, after a 23-year old man hit a tree on the road near Carters Road on January 12. Amid other recent serious crashes, an 18-year-old Augusta man died on Commonage Road in Yallingup on October 16. Four days earlier, a woman in her 30s suffered serious injuries after the car in which she was a passenger crashed into a tree on Layman Road in Yalyalup. In August, on Wildwood Road near the Caves Road intersection, a 58-year-old West Busselton man died from major blood loss after he crashed his Holden Monaro, leaving his 50-year-old female passenger with serious injuries requiring an airlift to Royal Perth Hospital. Main Roads WA said there were 105 crashes on Caves Road between 2015 and 2019. Preliminary data showed 12 incidents during 2020, including four where people needed hospital treatment. Vasse MLA Libby Mettam, whose electorate includes much of the route, said fast-tracking road upgrade funding could save hundreds of lives Statewide. “Unfortunately, like many of our regional roads in WA, Caves Road is becoming notorious for accidents, with Main Roads reportedly recording more than 80 crashes on the road in the five years to 2019,” she said. Road Safety Commissioner Adrian Warner said planned Main Roads safety work on Caves Road was important and necessary. “The start to 2021 has been particularly difficult across the State, including in the South West,” he said. “We believe more than half the fatal crashes this year have involved some kind of driver behaviour such as speed, inattention and fatigue. “With more people holidaying within the State, the roads are incredibly busy, and that means all drivers need to be doubling their efforts to make choices that will get them and their families home safely.” Margaret River police officer-in-charge Sgt Luke Fowler said the “common themes” for crashes in the sub-district were speeding, inattention, fatigue and alcohol. “We ask locals and visitors to Margaret River to take extra time and care on our roads at this time of the year to ensure everyone makes it home safely,” Sgt Fowler said. Main Roads said work on a preliminary concept design between Yallingup and Metricup Road continued, along with a speed review between Yallingup and Augusta. Further public consultation would then be undertaken. Investigators have asked anyone with information regarding the latest crash to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or report it online at crimestoppers.wa. com.au.