25 November 2020

Early morning police blitz nabs speeding drivers

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Early morning police operation

Police have targeted speeding motorists in a series of early morning operations. Photo: Supplied.

It seems too many Canberra motorists are still rushing to meet police, with speeding offences bringing them to highway patrol attention.

Earlier this month, ACT Policing revealed on Facebook that speeding offences for 2020 had already surpassed the full 2019 calendar year. The post generated feedback from community members who expressed their concerns about speeding, especially early in the mornings.

In response to the community, ACT Policing Road Policing conducted a targeted speeding operation. Across two early-morning starts, they detected a dozen motorists exceeding the speed limits on major roads.

The locations targeted included the 80 km/h zone on Horse Park Drive, Throsby, where the following offences were detected:

  • A 33-year-old Kaleen man in a Toyota Corolla at 110 km/h.
  • A 25-year-old Bonython man in a Toyota Hiace at 98 km/h.
  • A 34-year-old Bonner man in a Honda Civic at 101 km/h.
  • A 22-year-old Taylor man in a Honda Accord at 113 km/h.

Additionally, a 29-year-old Moncrieff woman in a Toyota Seca was detected at 81km/h in a 60km/h zone on Horse Park Drive in Bonner.

Policeman booking motorist

Police stop a driver on Horse Park Drive, Throsby.

In the 100 km/h zone on Majura Parkway, Majura, police detected:

  • A 43-year-old Franklin man in a Mazda BT-50 at 127 km/h.
  • A 30-year-old Forde man in a Mitsubishi Pajero at 122 km/h.
  • A 47-year-old Calwell man in a Mitsubishi Mirage at 122 km/h.
  • A 32-year-old Crace woman in a Mercedes at 144 km/h.

Other motorists detected speeding in the operation were:

  • A 24-year-old Kambah woman in a Ford Ranger at 113 km/h in a 90 km/h zone on Tuggeranong Parkway, Molonglo.
  • A 47-year-old Franklin woman in a Mazda 3 at 110 km/h in a 90 km/h zone on Gungahlin Drive, Bruce.
  • A 28-year-old Sutton, NSW man in a Toyota Hilux at 123 km/h in a 90 km/h zone on Majura Road, Majura.
Police stop a motorist on Majura Parkway

Police stop a motorist on Majura Parkway. Photo: Supplied.

All up, $5428 in fines were handed out and a total of 34 demerit points were issued.

ACT Policing Superintendent, Road Policing and Planning Corey Heldon said these infringements showed speeding motorists could be detected at any time, on any street.

READ ALSO Speed kills, so why carp about driving a little slower?

“While some people might think it’s okay to exceed the speed limit early in the morning, when there’s less traffic on the road, and that they’ll get away with it, they’re wrong,” Superintendent Heldon said.

“The time of day makes no difference. If police see you speeding then you can expect to be stopped by them.

“Speed limits are there for a reason. They are the maximum speed you’re allowed to drive at. The faster you drive, the more likely something is to go wrong, and the worse the outcome will be when that happens.”

READ ALSO Speed limits up for review as government moves to make roads safer

Police are urging people to report any areas where they believe speeding drivers are a regular problem. That can be done, anonymously, by contacting Crime Stoppers ACT.

Earlier this month ACT Police launched a road safety campaign, asking speeding motorists ‘Who are you rushing to meet?’ and reminding them it would very likely be a police officer.

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