10 Days of Christmas brings 200 traffic infringements

Days away from Christmas, ACT Policing is warning drivers who continue to take unnecessary risks on our roads.

Since Operation Safe Christmas and New Year was launched on December 8, officers have detected 20 drink drivers and 23 people drug driving.

Police have also issued over 200 infringements for a variety of offences including no seatbelt, speeding, mobile phone use and running red lights. Police have also issued 61 cautions.

Acting Superintendent Traffic Operations, Marcus Boorman said while most people are doing the right thing, too many people are still breaking the law and taking unnecessary risks.

“Emergency services workers don’t want to have to knock on the door and tell loved ones you or someone you’ve collided with won’t be coming home this festive season,” he said.

“ACT Policing Traffic Operations won’t be taking a break this Christmas New Year period - we’ll be taking the required action with drivers detected breaching the road laws.”

Increased traffic is expected across the ACT this festive season and police are urging all road users to take extra care and leave plenty of time to get to your destination.

“From now until the end of January, ACT Policing officers will conduct Random Breath Tests and Random Drug Tests and other enforcement activities with a focus on Canberra’s entertainment and restaurant precincts.”

There’s extra incentive to do the right thing this holiday season with double demerits now in place (20 December 2019) until Wednesday 1 January inclusive.

Speeding, seatbelt and mobile phone offences will attract double demerit points, as will riding without a helmet. All other traffic offences will incur one additional demerit point during the period.

Media note

Video of Detective Station Sergeant Marcus Boorman is available at https://spaces.hightail.com/receive/hklWtqZtPD

Media enquiries

Police Media — (02) 5126 9070, act-police-media@afp.gov.au