Subiaco Intersection Declared 'Blackspot' After Alarming Crash History
Local businesses in Subiaco are demanding urgent action from authorities after a dramatic car rollover at what they describe as a dangerously designed intersection of Hay Street and Coghlan Road. The incident on Friday, November 21 marks the latest in a series of collisions that have prompted medical staff to establish emergency response routines.
Community Forms Impromptu Emergency Response Team
Doctors from the Hay Street Medical Centre, located directly at the intersection corner, have become accustomed to rushing to crash scenes. In October alone, they treated a pedestrian struck by a vehicle. Dr Jennifer Yeoman, the centre's owner, revealed that accidents occur so frequently that local businesses have developed coordinated response protocols.
"The accidents are frequent enough that a sort of routine has been established," Dr Yeoman explained. "It's not just our staff that have fallen into natural roles when we hear the noise of a crash."
The emergency response extends beyond medical care. Neighbouring cafes now provide seating for those involved in collisions, while Officeworks staff distribute water bottles to shaken drivers and pedestrians.
Near-Misses Occur Daily at Problem Intersection
Elvira Mustafa, director of Elite Family Law located just 50 metres from the intersection, described the alarming frequency of incidents. "I always hear the collision or the braking, the screeching," Ms Mustafa said. "Almost every day there is a near miss."
Friday's two-car collision saw one vehicle travelling on Hay Street struck from behind by another on Coghlan Road, causing the first car to spin and flip onto its passenger side. Fortunately, no major injuries occurred, and the driver quickly escaped the overturned vehicle.
Official Main Roads WA data reveals 27 recorded car accidents at the intersection between 2020 and 2024, though locals confirm many minor collisions and near-misses go unreported.
Safety Concerns Ignored Until Tragedy Strikes?
Ms Mustafa identified several contributing factors, including drivers ignoring the 40km/h speed limit on Hay Street and stop signs on Coghlan Road. She also described the signage and right-of-way as confusing, while calling the existing speed humps "ineffective."
Dr Yeoman added that parked cars on Hay Street often obstruct visibility for drivers attempting to turn from Coghlan Road.
The situation becomes particularly concerning given the number of school students using the intersection to access Bob Hawke College and Perth Modern School. "There are children that walk frequently on these side roads where these accidents are occurring," Ms Mustafa emphasized.
Following the latest crash, Ms Mustafa followed up on safety concerns she initially raised with the City of Subiaco eight months earlier. She expressed frustration that permanent solutions could take considerable time, despite the immediate danger.
"There's no immediate ideas about how we can improve it until they come up with a final plan," she said. "It feels like we're being told to wait for a severe accident to happen."
The City's CEO Colin Cameron has since confirmed the intersection has been listed as a blackspot site, with a formal investigation scheduled to begin in January 2026. The process will involve site inspection and crash history analysis, with potential treatments including traffic lights, speed monitors, or additional signage.
Main Roads WA has already implemented some changes, including dedicated left and right turn lanes with clear directional arrows. However, the local community insists more urgent action is required to prevent serious injury or worse at what they consider one of Subiaco's most dangerous intersections.
