ACT Policing: Too many deaths on ACT roads

ACT Policing urges Canberra residents to reflect on the 2016 road toll as a solemn reminder to drive and ride safely every trip.

ACT Policing Criminal Investigations Superintendent Ben Cartwright said that while the road toll has been trending down, there is still work to be done.

“Tragically, ten people lost their lives on Canberra roads during 2016. That’s ten empty seats at the Christmas table, ten families who did not celebrate New Year’s Eve with their loved ones and ten deaths that could have been avoided.”

“If you’re making a New Year’s resolution, make it this: to drive safely this year, every day, every trip,” Superintendent Cartwright said.

“Don’t speed, wear a seatbelt, put your phone away, obey the road rules and never drive drunk, drug impaired or fatigued. If everyone makes this commitment and sticks to it, we will see fewer tragedies on our roads.”

The ACT road toll has shown a downward trend, with the 10-year-average (2007-2016) now just under 12 road fatalities per year, down from 13 per year five years ago (2002-2011).

“The road toll is heading in the right direction, but there’s still work to be done. So many factors have contributed to lower road tolls over time. This includes driver awareness, improvements in technology, police targeting and the expansion of the Road Safety Operations team, and the outstanding work that our ambulance and fire services do at the scene of road collisions.”

“Zero is the only acceptable number of road deaths in Canberra and we’ll continue to work with the ACT Government and the community towards zero.”

Of the 10 fatalities in 2016, three were motorcycle riders, six were drivers of cars and one was a passenger of a car. The majority occurred outside suburban areas, on major thoroughfares, highways or rural roads.

“Motorcyclists don’t benefit from the protection that a car provides in a collision. We urge drivers to look out for motorcyclists and give them extra space on the roads. We also encourage motorbike riders to ride carefully.”

Police will continue to target dangerous driving behaviour throughout the holiday season, with double demerits still in effect until midnight on Monday 2 January 2017.

ACT Road Toll

Media enquiries

Police Media — (02) 6264 9460, act-police-media@afp.gov.au