Police ask road users to take responsibility for their driving after horror 24 hours claims four lives

Frustrated police are pleading with motorists to take more responsibility for their driving after four people were killed on WA roads in less than 24 hours.

The urgent call came as thousands plan to travel back to the city as the school holidays draw to a close, and the fine weather at the weekend is due to draw motorcyclists out for rides.

Two motorcyclists were killed in the space of just over an hour on Wednesday night.

Harley Davidson rider Rhysean Lee, 25, was killed when his bike collided with a blue GWM Ute while travelling on Kwinana Freeway near Rowley Road at around 5.20pm.

Roughly an hour later at 6.30pm, a grey BMW motorcycle collided with a silver Renault station sedan in a fiery accident on West Coast Highway near the intersection of Elliott Road.

The 22-year-old male rider of the motorcycle also suffered critical injuries. He later died at Royal Perth Hospital.

Then, at 6.55pm a black Mercedes sedan was driving along Morawa Three Springs Road in Dudawa — 20km north of Three Springs — when it left the road and collided with a tree, killing the 44-year-old male driver.

On Thursday morning, a 42-year-old man died after his white Toyota Landcruiser left the road, rolled and hit a tree while driving on Collie-Changerup Road in the Great Southern.

Police say the incident happened at around 9.45am but it is not yet known why the vehicle left the road.

Road Policing Commander Mike Peters said it was time motorists took more responsibility for their behaviour.

“WA Police are doing everything they can in the enforcement space to change driver behaviour,” he said.

“I’ve said this before, I can’t sit in your car and make decisions for you, I can’t tell you what to wear when you decide to go out for a leisurely ride on a weekend or you are riding a motorcycle during the week, I can’t tell you to slow down, I can’t tell you to put your seatbelt on.

“I would expect by 2025 that the community would understand.”

Cdr Peters urged everyone to talk to their loved ones given the expected prime motorcycling conditions this weekend.

“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,” he said.

“I would anticipate we are going to have a number of motorcycles coming out for the first time potentially this year, maybe for months, that are going to get out on the roads and undertake leisure activities as they should on our highways and byways.”

According to the Road Safety Commission 148 people have lost their lives on the roads so far this year, the highest figure in more than a decade over the same time frame.

The Commission said there had been 20 motorcycle fatalities in 2025, down from the 30 at the same time last year.

There were 40 fatalities across all of last year relating to motorcycle incidents.

Road Safety Commission director of education and behaviour change Simone Steele said the change in weather meant more motorbikes were on the roads.

“With the warmer weather, more riders are hitting the roads, and it’s great to get out there, but safety has to come first,” she said.

“That means wearing the right gear, checking your ride, sticking to the speed limit, and riding to suit the conditions. Simple steps can keep people safe.

“Riders, if you can’t see a driver’s mirrors, they can’t see you. Drivers, take that extra moment before turning or changing lanes.”

Road Safety Minister Reece Whitby described the deaths as tragic and acknowledged they’d be felt across the community.

“These are tragic deaths, let’s not forget every single fatality has enormous impact and ripple effect throughout the community,” he said.

“Every tragedy is so heartbreaking and has an enormous impact on so many, we should never forget this.”

Mr Whitby said both motorcyclists and car users should be more aware of each other on the road.

“Motorcyclists have to be more careful, drivers have to be more careful, they have to be more considerate, they have to watch around them in terms of other road users,” he said.

“Whether it’s a car or a motorcycle, everyone needs to really increase their level of responsibility and attention when they drive.”