Joint road safety operation removes dangerous drivers from ACT roads
ACT Policing, in partnership with Access Canberra, have conducted a two day road safety operation across the ACT, to detect impaired and unsafe drivers and remove them from Canberra roads.
On Thursday 3 and Friday 4 August, members from ACT Policing Road Safety Operations and Access Canberra set up high visibility vehicle checking stations on major arterial roads throughout Canberra.
Over the course of the two days, over 2,300 drivers passed through the vehicle checking stations, with police conducting tests for drink or drug impairment as well as checking for suspended and disqualified drivers. Access Canberra vehicle inspectors conducted roadworthy checks.
Police conducted over 1,600 alcohol screen tests and identified two drink drivers. Police also located 10 drug drivers and issued 4 Summons for suspended or disqualified drivers. Police also issued 35 Traffic Infringement Notices for other offences and Access Canberra vehicle inspectors issued 53 defect notices.
Officer-in-Charge of Traffic Operations, Acting Station Sergeant Paul Hutcheson said ACT Policing will continue to remove dangerous drivers from ACT roads.
“It is disappointing that drivers continue to risk not only their lives but those of all road users by driving impaired or in unsafe vehicles.”
“Removing impaired drivers off ACT roads remains a strong focus for ACT Policing and we will continue to target those drivers. By doing this, overall community safety is improved and the potential for serious or fatal accidents is greatly reduced,” Acting Station Sergeant Hutcheson said.
Access Canberra Director of Community, Business and Transport Regulation Craig Simmons said it was disappointing that a large number of vehicles had been detected with unsafe defects through the operation.
“While we are pleased that we picked up some of these defects we remain disappointed that drivers are choosing to put themselves and other road users at risk by their cars not being in a safe and roadworthy condition.”
“The majority of the defects issued related to the poor condition of tyres, which is particularly concerning considering the wet weather we have had. Other defects included cracked windscreens, broken or missing head and/or taillights and we had one vehicle missing an entire bumper bar being driven.”
“I’d encourage all Canberrans to carefully check their vehicles regularly, to ensure they remain in a safe condition.”
Media enquiries
Police Media — (02) 6264 9460, act-police-media@afp.gov.au