Serious driving offences and collisions mar start of Christmas break
Driver behaviour at the start of the Christmas holiday period has disappointed ACT Policing, after several collisions and serious driving offences were detected yesterday (Friday, 23 December, 2022).
After police detected an e-scooter being ridden at 100km/h and a ute driver at almost 50km/h more than the speed limit in the morning officers on the afternoon shift found driver behaviour hadn’t improved.
In a two-hour period, police responded to several collisions. The most serious occurred on the Monaro Highway, Gilmore, about 2.20pm when a black Ford Falcon crossed the median strip and collided with a Ford tray-back utility.
Police, ACT Fire & Rescue, and ACT Ambulance Service responded to the collision, which closed the highway for several hours. The drivers of both vehicles were transported to hospital by ambulance.
About 3.55pm police received reports that a silver Toyota Camry had rolled several times on the Majura Parkway, Majura.
Police, ACT Fire & Rescue, and ACT Ambulance Service attended the scene, and police located the driver, a 28-year-old Chifley man, attempting to leave the scene. He recorded a positive result for alcohol in a roadside screening test and was taken into custody.
The man will be summonsed to appear in court in 2023 on charges including drink driving and driving while suspended.
ACT Policing has commenced investigations into these collisions. Any witnesses who have not yet spoken to police, or anyone with video footage of either collision is urged to come forward by contacting Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via the website. Please quote 7305217 for the Monaro Highway collision, or 7305295 for the Majura Parkway incident.
Police also apprehended a 34–year-old Holt man yesterday, when they observed him allegedly attaching incorrect number plates to his vehicle in Hall.
Police checks revealed the man was a disqualified driver, and a roadside test recorded a positive indication to drugs.
The man will face the ACT Magistrates Court today (Saturday, 24 December, 2022) charged with driving while disqualified, drug driving, and using a number plate not properly issued.
And a 50-year-old Reid man will also face court today charged with drug driving and unlicenced driving after he was stopped by police while riding a motorcycle in Hackett about 8.10pm yesterday.
The man, who is on bail, was arrested after he recorded a positive reading for drugs in a roadside test.
Officer in Charge, ACT Road Policing, Acting Inspector Travis Mills is dismayed by the poor behaviour already displayed this holiday period.
“I am very disappointed that these drivers would not only put their lives at risk but show no care for other road users,” Acting Inspector Mills said.
“What we’ve seen here is people showing a blatant disregard for their own safety on the roads, and that of others during what should be a time of celebration.”
Media enquiries
Police Media — (02) 5126 9070, act-police-media@afp.gov.au