“The message is quite simple, if you are going to drink, do not drive.” Photo: File.
A 49-year-old woman has blown more than six times the legal limit after crashing her car near a school on Monday.
ACT Policing Officer in Charge of Traffic Operations Detective Station Sergeant Marcus Boorman says incidents like this beggar belief.
“This driver crashed her car in someone else’s front yard, 10 metres from the footpath. That’s bad. But it could have been even worse. The house is next-door to a primary school. Imagine what could have happened,” he said.
Police are using this incident to remind Canberrans of the dangers of driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
During last year’s festive season, between December and January, ACT Policing caught 205 people drink driving and a further 166 were detected driving with drugs in their system, Detective Sergeant Boorman said.
“Our message is if you are going to drink, do not drive. We want everyone to have a great festive season. Enjoy it, but be responsible.
“Anytime someone dies on the road it is tragic, but in particular during Christmas and the festive season. It is a memory you cannot forget.
“ACT Policing will be stepping up our operations in relation to drink driving and impaired driving so you will see a high visibility police presence on the road.”
While Christmas parties and family celebrations often lead to people drinking more than they should, Sergeant Boorman says there are numerous other ways to get home rather than risking your life, or the life of someone else.
“During the festive season, police do not want to see anyone seriously injured or killed on our roads due to poor decision making at a Christmas party or get together,” Detective Station Sergeant Boorman said.
“I am pleading with everyone to make that right decision. Look after your friends, your colleagues, look for alternative arrangements if you have been drinking,” he said.
“There are a range of alternative transport options you can use – public transport, taxis and ride-sharing services, or organise a designated driver.”
Double demerits will also be in place over the holidays as police are trying everything to induce drivers to avoid risky behaviour, with more people out and about on the roads.
“Double demerits come in as a reminder for people that during the holiday period there is more traffic on the road, people moving around wanting to see family but, unfortunately, people make poor decisions and they roll the dice,” he said.
“Roadside alcohol and drug screenings can happen anywhere and at any time, and any vehicle could be an unmarked RBT vehicle.
“The message is quite simple, if you are going to drink, do not drive.”
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