Reid Highway in Perth was partially shut on Tuesday after a major crash involving multiple vehicles caused widespread traffic delays across the city’s northern suburbs, forcing thousands of motorists to seek alternate routes during peak travel hours.
Emergency services were called to Reid Highway after reports of a serious collision that left debris scattered across several lanes and traffic brought to a standstill in both directions. Witnesses described heavy congestion building rapidly as first responders worked to secure the scene and assist those involved.
The crash occurred on one of Perth’s busiest arterial roads, a key east–west link used daily by commuters travelling between the northern suburbs and the Mitchell Freeway corridor. Within minutes of the incident, traffic queues stretched for kilometres, with drivers reporting extended delays and gridlock on surrounding feeder roads.
Police and ambulance crews attended the scene alongside traffic management teams, closing multiple lanes to allow emergency access and vehicle recovery. Authorities urged motorists to avoid the area where possible, warning that congestion was likely to persist for several hours as investigations and clean-up operations continued.
Images circulating on social media showed damaged vehicles and emergency personnel working under difficult conditions as traffic in nearby lanes slowed to a crawl. Some drivers reported being stuck for more than an hour, while others were redirected onto local streets not designed to handle heavy volumes of traffic.
The disruption quickly rippled across Perth’s road network, with congestion spilling onto connecting routes and nearby highways. Traffic monitoring services flagged unusually heavy delays across large parts of the northern suburbs, highlighting the vulnerability of major commuter corridors when serious incidents occur.
Road safety authorities reminded drivers that crashes on high-speed urban highways often require lengthy closures, particularly when heavy vehicles are involved or when debris must be cleared to ensure the road is safe to reopen. Even after lanes are reopened, residual congestion can linger long after the initial incident is resolved.
Officials did not immediately confirm the extent of injuries resulting from the crash, but police said the incident was being treated as serious. Motorists who witnessed the collision or have dashcam footage may be asked to assist with ongoing inquiries.
For drivers caught in the disruption, transport officials advised checking live traffic updates before travelling and allowing extra time for journeys. Public transport services in the affected areas also experienced flow-on delays as buses were diverted around the closure.
Reid Highway has long been identified as one of Perth’s most heavily used urban roads, carrying tens of thousands of vehicles each day. Major incidents along the route frequently result in widespread congestion due to limited alternative east–west options during peak periods.
Western Australia Police regularly warn motorists to exercise caution on busy highways, particularly during high-traffic periods when even minor incidents can quickly escalate into major disruptions. Updated road closure information is published through official traffic alert channels, including Main Roads Western Australia, which provides real-time updates on incidents and delays.
As traffic conditions slowly stabilised later in the day, authorities continued to urge patience from road users and reminded drivers to remain alert around emergency scenes. Motorists planning to travel through Perth’s northern suburbs were encouraged to consider alternate routes or delay non-essential trips until traffic fully cleared.
More local traffic and breaking news updates are available in our coverage of Australian traffic disruptions.
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