Stay safe on the roads this summer

ACT Policing is urging drivers to stay safe, alert and patient on the roads this summer when there’s likely to be more traffic at all different times of the day.

Act Policing Chief Police Officer Neil Gaughan said summer and the holiday season was a time of greater activity on the roads as people prepared to celebrate with family and friends.

“Last minute gift shopping can be stressful but don’t let your rush to find a park at the shops lead to a Christmas crash,” Chief Police Officer Gaughan said.

“The festive season is a busy time for retailers and when the shops are full, so are the car parks and streets.

“With tight roads and a constant flow of drivers parking and reversing, shopping centres can be tricky to navigate at the best of times so drivers should exercise extra caution in the Christmas congestion.

“Remember that car parks are shared spaces and keep an eye out for pedestrians, especially small children.

The summer heat also poses an extra threat to pets and kids who should never be left unattended in a parked car for any length of time.

“It takes just minutes for the internal temperature of a sealed car to reach dangerous levels, no trip to the shops is too short to be deadly,” Chief Police Officer Gaughan said.

“I’d also like to remind drivers headed out on longer trips interstate to drive carefully. Obey the speed limit, take regular breaks and be patient and alert when driving in heavy traffic conditions.”

During 2020 there were less crashes but the same number of fatal collisions. Crashes resulting in injury were down by 20 per cent for 2020 when compared with the same time last year while the ACT has so far recorded six fatalities for 2020, the same number as 2019.

For more tips on driving safe this summer check out the ACT Policing website.

Media enquiries

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