Police Minister Paul Papalia slams drivers not ‘taking responsibility’ as road toll continues to climb

Police Minister Paul Papalia has chastised careless drivers on WA roads and urged people to take responsibility behind the wheel this holiday season after three fatal crashes in a horror start to the weekend. A man in his 30s lost his life on Saturday after police were called to a crash in the Albany suburb of Lange on Mercer Road, near the intersection of Talyuberlup Way, about 8.15am. After arriving at the scene it was established a silver Toyota Kluger had rolled and caught fire. The driver died at the scene. It came less than 12 hours after a motorcycle rider lost his life in a crash in Perth’s northern suburbs. On Friday night a black Yamaha motorcycle and a silver Mercedes hatchback crashed at the intersection of Hepburn Avenue and Walter Padbury Boulevard in Padbury, about 10.45pm. The 47-year-old motorcyclist died at the scene, while the woman driving the Mercedes, aged in her 40s, was not hurt. “The truth is, the vast majority of deaths on the roads are a result of people not taking responsibility for themselves, speed, inattention, drug and alcohol use, not wearing a seat belt,” Mr Papalia said. “Ultimately, the sorts of things that people should be taking responsibility for, those are the causes of deaths on the road.” Earlier on Friday evening, about 5.15pm, a Toyota Corolla sedan travelling east on Toodyay Road, near Sandplain Road, and a silver Mitsubishi Lancer sedan going west crashed head-on in Toodyay. The 69-year-old man driving the Mitsubishi suffered critical injuries and was flown to Royal Perth Hospital, but he could not be saved. The 43-year-old man behind the wheel of the Toyota escaped injury and on Saturday police charged the man, from Queens Park, with careless driving causing death, grievous bodily harm or bodily harm. He was granted bail and will front Northam Magistrates Court on December 30. Road Safety Commission figures show WA has already recorded its second worst road toll in the past decade, with 169 fatalities in 2024, eclipsed only by 177 in 2016. As the silly season kicks off, there are fears that record could be surpassed. It comes after police ramped up their presence on WA roads, culminating in a spate of charges and high-powered cars being impounded. On Wednesday a 20-year-old man was allegedly clocked driving his BMW 5 Series sedan at 208km/h — almost double the posted speed limit — on Albany Highway in Ashendon. Last month a 19-year-old P-plater had his car impounded after he was allegedly caught doing 157km/h in a 110km/h zone on Great Eastern Highway outside the Wheatbelt town of Meckering. And in October, a roadside camera allegedly caught a 17-year-old who had only had his P-plates for eight weeks doing 94km/h above the speed limit in his black BMW sedan on Tonkin Highway, near Perth Airport. All three had their cars impounded for 28 days. “Coming up to the holiday season, take responsibility for your own safety and for others on the road and get back home safe,” Mr Papalia said.