On a late Friday afternoon at the close of February, the southbound lanes of Kwinana Freeway in Perth began to thicken, as Main Roads WA flagged heavy congestion on parts of the route. It is a small, familiar ritual of the long weekend: a city loosening its grip on its routines, its people reaching for the coast, the hills, and the regions beyond. Authorities asked for patience and extra time, and reminded drivers that double demerit points would hold until midnight on Monday 3 March, so the pleasure of leaving home comes paired with the quieter duty of getting there safely.
Heavy Kwinana Freeway southbound congestion builds ahead of Labour Day long weekend
Heavy traffic is not the only thing drivers should look out for
On a late Friday afternoon at the close of February, the southbound lanes of Kwinana Freeway in Perth began to thicken, as Main Roads WA flagged heavy congestion on parts of the route. It is a small, familiar ritual of the long weekend: a city loosening its grip on its routines, its people reaching for the coast, the hills, and the regions beyond. Authorities asked for patience and extra time, and reminded drivers that double demerit points would hold until midnight on Monday 3 March, so the pleasure of leaving home comes paired with the quieter duty of getting there safely.
By Friday afternoon, the southbound lanes of Kwinana Freeway were filling up. Main Roads WA issued an alert of heavy congestion on sections of the freeway heading south, the first visible sign of Perth emptying out for the Labour Day long weekend.
The agency's message was direct. Increased volumes were expected on both metropolitan and regional roads, and drivers heading away for the break were asked to allow extra travel time. A request followed: drive safely, be patient, and pay attention.
The warning reaches beyond the freeway. Main Roads framed the surge as statewide, onto the regional routes that carry people out of the city, with Kwinana Freeway as the main southbound corridor.
WA Police added a reminder that double demerit points apply from Friday until midnight on Monday 3 March, and urged motorists to be safe, responsible, and watchful of one another.
The sources give no vehicle numbers or delay durations, so the picture rests on Main Roads' assessment. For anyone leaving, the advice is the same: expect busy roads, leave with time to spare, and keep speed and attention in check until the break ends.
By Friday afternoon, the southbound lanes of Kwinana Freeway were filling up. Main Roads WA put out an alert saying there was heavy congestion on sections of the freeway heading south, the first visible sign of Perth emptying out for the Labour Day long weekend.
The agency's message was plain. A Main Roads spokesperson said increased traffic volumes were expected on both metropolitan and regional roads, and urged drivers to allow extra travel time, especially those heading away for the break. The spokesperson closed with a request to drive safely, be patient and pay attention.
The warning covers more than the freeway itself. Main Roads framed the expected surge as statewide, reaching beyond the metro area onto the regional routes that carry people out of Perth. The Kwinana Freeway is the major southbound corridor, so it was the first place the build-up was flagged.
Traffic is only part of what drivers face. WA Police reminded motorists that double demerit points are in force from Friday until midnight on Monday 3 March. That means the usual penalties for road offences carry twice the demerit points for the length of the long weekend.
Police framed the reminder as a call to look out for one another. Their message asked people to be safe and responsible and to watch out for other road users. The source offers no figures on how many vehicles are expected, how long delays have run, or which other roads are affected, so the picture so far rests on Main Roads' own assessment of conditions.
For anyone planning to leave, the advice from both agencies points the same way: set off knowing the roads will be busy, build in more time than usual, and keep speed and attention in check. Heavy traffic and double demerits both stay in place until the break ends at midnight on Monday 3 March.
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Allow extra travel time, especially if you're going away.— Main Roads spokesperson
Be safe, responsible and look out for each other when you're on the roads.— WA Police
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