Larissa Bennell is off to the US.
Camera IconLarissa Bennell is off to the US. Credit: Supplied/Matthew Poon

Dangers in the darkness

EMIL MULLER, YanchepThe Advocate

I have seen accidents at Rutland Road and was indeed involved in one myself not so long ago.

Since then, I have paid close attention to the state of various intersections on the 52-kilometre stretch of road that I use.

Now, at the intersection of Wanneroo Road and Yanchep Beach Road, the intersection speed limit is downgraded from 90km/h to 70km/h and the intersection is brightly lit by 16 streetlamps.

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Likewise, at the intersection of Neaves Road and Old Yanchep Road, it is the same ” a downgrade to 70 km/h approaching the T-junction, and, of course, well-lit.

By comparison, the Rutland/ Great Northern Highway T-junction is as dark as it can get.

I’m willing to bet that statistically there are far fewer accidents at those other junctions than at Rutland/Great Northern.

I agree the Great Northern Highway carries more traffic, but isn’t it worth a try to do the same, and also put in rumble strips on Rutland leading up to the junction to try to stop the unintentional bush venturing?

It’s no secret that illuminated roads in poor light conditions heighten driver awareness and obviously improves static visibility. Surely, this measure will eventually end up costing less than the RAC helicopter, emergency services overtime and road closures ” not to mention pain, suffering and/or mortalities.