Police’s message for WA motorcyclists after horror night on Perth roads

Motorbike riders across the state are being urged to take stock of the “fatal five” and wear appropriate safety gear as WA reels from three road deaths in separate crashes within the space of two hours on Wednesday night.

A motorcyclist died in a fiery crash in Trigg on Wednesday night, while another died in Aubin Grove after hitting a car on the Kwinana Freeway.

A driver was also killed when he hit a tree near Three Springs and on Thursday morning a 42-year-old man died after the car he was driving also hit a tree near Kojonup.

Commander Mike Peters, from WA Police’s road policing command, said there had been 13 fewer motorcycle deaths to date in 2025 compared to the previous year – when there had been 30 deaths by this point – but it was still 17 deaths too many.

Peters urged the families of motorcyclists to have conversations with their loved ones about safety gear ahead of predicted good weather this weekend.

“I can’t make you wear appropriate safety wear that’s up to your personal responsibility when you enter the roadway,” he said.

“But what I will say to all the loved ones is make sure you have the conversation before your loved ones ride out this weekend, because the weather conditions this weekend look exceptional for motorcycle riding.

“Can I just ask that you have a conversation with them, explaining the need and the understanding of the fatal five; seat belts – restraints – wearing helmets, mobile phone use, distraction, speed impairment through drugs and alcohol and fatigue.

“If you’re going to go out riding a motorcycle this weekend or at any time, can I implore on you to understand your responsibility as a motorcycle rider and that you go out dressed appropriately, that you’ve had enough rest, and you also understand that you’re a vulnerable road user, unlike car drivers, truck drivers and other drivers, you don’t have any protection.”

Authorities warned us to take care on WA roads this school holidays. Did we listen?

Western Australia’s road safety commissioner issued a stark warning just before the state’s school holidays started last month.

“As we go about the holidays enjoying this great state, we need to be mindful about how to be safe on our roads,” Adrian Warner said.

At that point, WA’s road toll had climbed to 135 for 2025, outstripping last year’s figures by five.

“If we continue the trend over the last two months to the end of the year, 2025 will not be the worst year in a decade,” Warner said.

“The choice is in our hands.”

Not even 24 hours later a man and a woman died in a crash on the infamous Indian Ocean Drive. Four other people were injured.

Hours after that, two young men were killed in a crash with a truck on the Great Northern Highway in the town of Miling.

The men, aged in their 20s, died at the scene.

Then, back in Perth, 60-year-old grandfather Johnny Gray died in a crash while driving his eye-catching pink 1956 Chevrolet.

He was driving near Butler Boulevard, a notorious intersection for locals.

The next day, back in the country, two motorcyclists were riding on Albany Highway when one hit a power pole.

He was taken to hospital, but died. The other motorcyclist fled the scene.

About 48 hours later, emergency services were called to a scene where a ute had crashed into a tree in Kambalda.

Two young men were in the car, and one was declared dead at the scene. The other was taken to Kalgoorlie Hospital with critical injuries.

There are still three days left in WA’s school holiday period and, with the latest crashes added, the state’s road toll now sits at 148, according to the Road Safety Commission. It is the highest in more than a decade.

“We just want to make sure everyone stays safe,” WA Police Acting Commander Glenn Spencer said at last month’s press conference.

“Our officers don’t want to knock on your door or your family’s door.

“Every decision made behind the wheel can have a lasting impact.

“My message is clear, please take care, drive responsibly and make the right choices behind the wheel so that everybody can stay safe.”