It is an offence under WA transport laws if your load is not properly restrained and is at risk of falling from your vehicle. The safe loading of vehicles is vitally important in preventing injury to people and damage to property.  

A load can be anything from household goods to building materials and green waste. If you are transporting objects with your vehicle, these things need to be secured and restrained.  

Reasons to secure your load: 

• The debris can cause road congestion. 
• Drivers will swerve to avoid fallen items, which can cause them to lose control and cause a collision. 
• Unsecured objects may fall from vehicles on to other vehicles, pedestrians or cyclists. At highway speeds, these objects can become deadly projectiles that cause serious injury or death.  
• Debris on the roads can enter the environment and impact the native flora and fauna.  

Important tips to remember when securing a load: 

Be aware of pedestrians and cyclists when travelling on the road, and if you are a pedestrian and cyclist, be aware of the vehicles around you.  

Pedestrians 

Vehicles must give way to pedestrians 

• when turning 
• when making a u-turn 
• at all intersections and stop signs 
• at all pedestrian crossings 

A green traffic signal does not automatically mean go. It is important to exercise caution around “high risk pedestrians” such as young children and adults older than 60.  

Learn more about pedestrian road safety from the Road Safety Commission.  

Cyclists 

Cyclists are a vulnerable group of road users due to the increased risk of serious injury when using the paths and roads. They still share the same rights and responsibilities as drivers and must obey the road rules.  

Helmets are compulsory for all cyclists in WA. It is also recommended that cyclists wear additional visibility accessories, such as reflective clothing or flashing light attachments.  

Cyclists of all ages are allowed to ride on WA footpaths, but they should give pedestrians the right of way.  

Drivers must maintain at least 1 m distance when overtaking cyclists and give way when crossing into bicycle lanes.  

Learn the rules and recommendations for cyclist road safety from the Road Safety Commission.  

Road workers and traffic controllers work in high-traffic environments, which can present many potential hazards.  

These hazards can be avoided with speed reductions, lane closures, safety barriers and proper safety equipment. Please be aware and slow down when approaching any construction areas on the road. 

For everyone's safety, it is important to follow all signage and the directions of traffic controllers around roadworks. 

Large trucks are a common sight throughout WA. Oversize heavy loads and road trains are frequent travellers in remote regional areas. 

It is always safer to stay behind a slower vehicle rather than taking unnecessary risks to overtake. Road trains can be up to 60 m long, so it may take longer than you anticipate to get around them.   

Heavy vehicles are not able to stop as quickly as cars. Maintain a safe distance at all times, and do not cut in front of a heavy vehicle. These trucks also have large blind spots. If you can't see the side mirrors on a truck, the driver cannot see you.  

If you come across an oversize load with a Pilot or traffic escort vehicle, please slow down, move to the left, be prepared to stop and follow their directions. 

Similar to cyclists, motorcyclists are a vulnerable group of road users. They have little protection in the event of a crash. It is mandatory to wear a helmet in Western Australia and recommended to wear protective clothing.  

It is important for drivers to be aware and check your blind spots for motorcyclists before merging or changing lanes. 

Motorcyclists should also stay alert at all times and know all the rules of the road. According to WA crash data, in 60% of motorcycle crashes in 2016, there was no other vehicle involved.  

Learn more about motorcycle safety tips and guides from the Road Safety Commission.  

While driving around Perth, you may see electronic signs managing the lanes on the road. If you drive through the Northbridge Tunnel or along Kwinana Freeway Northbound between Canning Highway and Narrows Bridge, you will see an innovative Lane Use Management System. 

This system allows the operations team to open and close lanes, change speed limits and provide emergency access. Electronic message signs will also display alerts or information for drivers.  

Symbol meanings: 

• A red X means the lane is closed. Exit the lane as soon as possible. 
• Flashing yellow means proceed with caution. 
• A green arrow means the lane is open. 
• A number on a circle background is the speed limit. It may not always be the same each day.  
• A white arrow pointing to another lane means change lanes where indicated. 

The smart system keeps traffic flowing during peak hours and enhances safety when incidents occur. Make sure you follow all signs or messages when driving on these roads.  

There are no dedicated emergency lanes on the Smart Freeway or in the Northbridge Tunnel. Learn how the Incident Response Service helps clear crashes and broken-down vehicles.