Inquest into the Deaths of Noel James Monson and Robert Stephen McGee
Deceased
Noel James Monson and Robert Stephen McGee
Demographics
male
Date of death
2001-09-13 and 2002-02-07
Finding date
2003-10-31
Cause of death
Multiple injuries from motorcycle collision with limestone retaining wall at roundabout
AI-generated summary
Two motorcyclists, Noel James Monson (age 43) and Robert Stephen McGee (age 23), died following single-vehicle collisions at suburban roundabouts in Western Australia. Both riders lost control while approaching roundabouts and collided with limestone retaining walls constructed in the central islands. Both were affected by alcohol at the time (blood alcohol readings of 0.160% and 0.135% respectively). Road safety audits identified multiple environmental hazards: inadequate street lighting, poor roundabout visibility, missing warning signs, and the presence of non-frangible limestone walls in direct conflict with Austroads Part 15 guidelines and Australian Standards. The coroner found both deaths were accidents. Key recommendations include: local governments should not install non-frangible hazards on roundabouts; road authorities must ensure adequate lighting at roundabouts; Austroads should clarify safety guidance; road safety audits should be mandatory prior to roundabout construction; and standard safe designs with examples should be provided to local government.
AI-generated summary and tagging — may contain inaccuracies; refer to original finding for legal purposes.
Drugs involved
Contributing factors
- Alcohol impairment (blood alcohol 0.160% and 0.135% respectively)
- Excessive speed
- Inadequate street lighting at roundabout
- Poor visibility of roundabout
- Non-frangible limestone retaining wall in central island
- Missing roundabout warning signs (McGee case)
- Insufficient advanced warning of speed reduction required
- Road environment not forgiving
Coroner's recommendations
- Local government authorities should not install limestone walls or other non-frangible hazards on roundabouts unless there is a very clear need to do so
- Vertical elements such as trees may be used on roundabouts to provide presence and visibility, but must be shielded from the path of oncoming vehicles
- Road authorities must pay particular attention to lighting in the area of roundabouts, with additional lighting to road lighting on approach roads
- Uplighting of trees and vertical elements should be used to highlight presence of roundabouts
- Austroads should alter the set out of Guide documents to more clearly and simply identify hazards which should be avoided by local government
- Road Safety Audit reviews should be prepared in respect of every fatal crash case, not just metropolitan areas
- Standard roundabout designs considered safe should be identified and provided as simple guides to local government authorities
- Road safety audits should be conducted prior to construction of roundabouts to identify safety issues in non-standard cases
- Roundabout design should include stand-alone safety measures that are self-sufficient and not dependent on operational components like lighting or signs
- Lighting should be treated as an important issue to be addressed in every case prior to construction of new roundabouts
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