Why Rome Road sees so many crashes and breakdowns
Rome Road is a suburban street in the City of Melville. It runs south from Canning Highway through Alfred Cove and Melville towards Leach Highway and Willagee, carrying local traffic between the river suburbs and the streets around Melville and Myaree. Most of its length is homes, driveways and side streets.
The trouble is at the northern end. Rome Road meets Canning Highway from the south, and Hislop Road meets it from the north, but the two side roads are offset by a short distance. That creates a dog leg. A driver going from Rome Road across to Hislop Road has to turn onto the highway and then turn straight off again, all while four lanes of through traffic, turning cars and buses are moving past. Drivers turning right onto the highway have to judge gaps in both directions at once.
In RAC WA’s 2025 Risky Roads survey, which received more than 18,000 nominations, the Canning Highway, Rome Road and Hislop Road intersection in Melville was ranked second among metro intersections, making the top 10 for the first time. Nominators said the junction gave little chance to turn or cross traffic and had a confusing layout. Many suggested that a roundabout could solve the problem. RAC also reported that over half of all nominators had been involved in or witnessed a crash or near miss at the location they nominated.
We cover the highway side of this in more detail on our Canning Highway page, and the northern side on our Hislop Road page.
What to do after an accident on Rome Road
Safety comes before paperwork. Turn on your hazard lights, check on everyone and call 000 if anyone is hurt or if a damaged car is blocking Canning Highway. The WA Police line for non-emergency help is 131 444.
A crash at this junction often leaves a car partly on the highway. If both vehicles can still be driven, move them back into Rome Road and park clear of driveways. If a car can’t be moved, leave it, get everyone onto the footpath and wait for help there.
Once you’re safe, exchange names and addresses with the other driver, as every driver in a WA crash is required to do. Also note their phone number, registration and insurance company, and take photos of the damage, both plates and the layout of the junction.
Finally, check whether a police report is needed. WA requires crashes to be reported if anyone is injured, if total damage is more than $3,000, or if the owner of damaged property isn’t present. You can lodge it through the online crash reporting facility on the WA Government website.
Our accident towing service will collect a car that can’t be driven, and insurance towing means we bill your insurer directly.
Suburbs along Rome Road
Rome Road begins at Canning Highway on the edge of Attadale and runs south through Alfred Cove and Melville, heading towards Willagee on the far side of Leach Highway. Myaree, with its workshops and smash repairers, is close by to the east.
How we help
We tow from Rome Road and the Canning Highway junction 24/7. We bill your insurer directly and take your car to the repairer you choose, whether that’s around the corner or across Perth. Call 0419 857 070.