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RAC wants more cash for dangerous roads

The RAC says more needs to be done - and more money spent - to maintain WA's roads and make them safe.

In response to the findings of its Risky Roads campaign, RAC general manager corporate affairs Will Golsby said the results highlighted the urgent need for the State Government's Mid-Year Review to deliver an increase in road funding.

"This funding is urgent bec-ause, tragically, the road fatality toll this year is already 20 deaths more than at the same time last year," Mr Golsby said.

"WA's metropolitan road network is also under pressure with a cap being placed on the level of road funding provided to local government and, more recently, a 15 per cent per year reduction in funding from the road maintenance budget over the next three years.

"This is on top of the huge backlog in road maintenance that was identified in 2009 by the auditor-general and estimated to be worth $800 million.

"There is over 187,000km of road in WA and no one knows it better than the people who drive, ride, cycle or walk on it every day."

Work has begun on rectifying a handful of the nominated roads, including the number-one ranked intersection at the corner of Gnangara and Beechboro roads.

Traffic lights have been installed and work has begun on upgrading Gnangara Road - a project not expected to be finished until 2017.

Gnangara Road was one of the four City of Swan roads listed in the top 10.

City of Swan chief executive Mike Foley said the intersection of Beechboro and Gnangara roads was a known crash hotspot and, in the interests of safety, the council had undertaken temporary works, including the installing of traffic lights.

Mr Foley said the intersection would be improved as part of the major upgrade to Gnangara Road.

He said the council was not aware of a significant increase in traffic on Beechboro Road North in Cullacabardee.

But Mr Foley said the safety of the area would be assessed, with the aim of giving people travelling in or through the city access to a safe road network. The Risky Roads survey found that many of the nominated sites involved right-hand turns on to roads with high-traffic volumes travelling at significant speed.

But there was also a significant increase in the number of drivers who were confused by intersections' design and lane markings.

The survey report also found that, despite the confusion surrounding some roundabouts, there had been a positive change in attitudes towards traffic flow.

"It was clear that road users identified that maintaining traffic flow improves travel times," it said.

"Rather than proposing the installation of traffic lights, respondents suggested the construction of roundabouts."

During an analysis of the survey results for regional roads, the RAC discovered more concern among local drivers about overtaking opportunities than the quality of the road.

Poor road marking, hazardous roadside objects and loose surfaces all ranked below the lack of overtaking opportunities. Half of the worst roads were in country areas, with Bussell Highway in Capel being ranked second because of its poor quality and lack of overtaking opportunities.

This is the second Risky Roads survey, with the first survey conducted in 2011.

Mr Golsby said the campaign empowered the community to voice their concerns about dangerous roads and intersections, so work can be done by the relevant authorities to get them fixed.

He said an increase in cycling and pedestrian issues raised was encouraging because it was important to ensure the safety of all road users.

Poor cycling infrastructure was the basis for the nominations of Tydeman Road in North Fremantle, Mundaring Weir Road in Bickley, Gooseberry Hill Road in Gooseberry Hill, Gilmore Avenue in Orelia and Labouchere Road in South Perth.

Since the publication of the 2011 Risky Roads results, the Gov-ernment has committed, started or completed work on nine of the top 10 nominated roads. A "risky road" is considered to be one that poses a danger to any user.