1. Death in Lyneham:
ACT Policing is seeking witnesses to an incident in Lyneham this afternoon (Sunday, August 1), in which a vehicle veered off Mouat Street and through a nature strip before coming to rest in the front yard of a residence on Brigalow Street.
The 59-year-old male driver and single occupant of the vehicle received emergency medical treatment at the scene but later died in hospital.
At this early stage of the investigation, police suspect a medical condition may have been a contributing factor in the incident however, a full brief will be prepared for the ACT Coroner. ACT Policing’s Collision Investigation and Reconstruction Team attended the scene and will be compiling a comprehensive report.
Any witnesses who may have seen the blue Holden Commodore sedan leave the roadway on Mouat Street around 4.30pm today are urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via the website at www.act.crimestoppers.com.au.
—
ACT Policing today ramped up its zero tolerance campaign against the use of a handheld mobile phone when driving to address the ever-increasing problem of driver distraction.
For the months of August and September, police will be out in force and if you’re using your phone while driving, expect to get caught and fined.
The targeted campaign is part of a whole-of-government approach to road safety comprising law enforcement, advertising and public relations.
“With the road toll already at 17 this year, we are heading towards our worst result since 2005. We need to look at consolidated ways to ensure the message is getting through, and ultimately, that people drive to stay alive,” Deputy Chief Police Officer Bruce Hill said.
“Driver distraction is one of the key contributing factors to road trauma, and using a handheld mobile phone is the most common and significant distraction of all.
“Drivers need to be aware that if they are caught using a handheld mobile phone, they will be fined $271 and lose three demerit points.
“The instruction to our officers over the next two-month zero-tolerance period is that no Cautions should be issued for this offence; all offenders will be issued with a Traffic Infringement Notice.”
To reinforce this tough stance, Variable Message Boards (VMBs) will be positioned at locations throughout the territory and will display a range of powerful new communications such as “VODAPHONE, TELSTRA, OPTUS / WILL NOT PAY YOUR FUNERAL”.
“If people find these in-your-face-style of messages offensive then so be it; it’s more important that the safety message cuts through and people start paying attention to it,” DCPO Hill said.
—
ACT Policing is investigating a wounding incident that occurred in Giralang in the early hours of yesterday morning (August 1).
The victim, an 18-year-old Giralang man, was walking home around 1am when he was approached by up to four males who demanded his wallet and phone. The victim refused and was stabbed multiple times in the abdomen.
Police located the victim in the underpass near Chuculba Crescent.
He was conveyed to The Canberra Hospital where he received medical treatment for his injuries. The wounds sustained were superficial and required sutures.
Police are urging anyone who may have witnessed this incident or has any information to contact Crime Stoppers.
—
ACT Policing is supporting National Missing Persons Week (August 1-8), which this year is encouraging people to report their concerns for missing loved ones quickly.
The theme of National Missing Persons Week this year is: ‘When someone goes missing – a day spent waiting is a day lost’.
The ACT has seven people on its Missing Persons register.
The missing people are:
— Kate Alexander (missing since 1974)
— Megan Mulquiney (missing since 1984)
— Elizabeth Herfort (missing since 1980)
— Odette Houghton (missing overseas since 1991)
— Amelia Hausia (missing since 1992)
— Benjamin Wells (missing since 2004)
— Laura Haworth (missing since 2008)National Missing Persons Week was launched in Melbourne today (Monday, August 2), and will focus on dispelling a common misconception that a person must wait 24 hours before reporting a loved one missing.
Statistics indicate that an Australian is reported missing every 15 minutes, but 95 per cent are located within six months.
Research shows that many people believe they must wait 24 hours before they can report someone missing. This is not the case and ACT Policing is urging the reporting of a missing person as soon as family or loved ones become concerned for their welfare.
Facts sheets on National Missing Persons Week, including those aimed at informing culturally and linguistically diverse communities, can be located at www.missingpersons.gov.au.
Loading ...
