ACT Policing will be targeting speeding motorists during the month of February as part of its multi-agency road safety strategy.
At different periods during the year, the strategy targets specific issues and behaviours which contribute to death and serious injuries on Canberra’s roads, with speeding among those concerns.
Acting Traffic Operations Superintendent Rod Anderson said drivers who willfully speed were playing Russian roulette with their own lives, the lives of other drivers and passengers, and the lives of children, pedestrians and cyclists.
“The fact is many fatal and serious traffic crashes that occur on Canberra roads each year are directly attributable to motorists who exceed the posted speed limit,” Acting Superintendent Anderson said.
“Speeding reduces the time drivers have to react and avoid crashes, their ability to control the vehicle and lengthens stopping distances, increasing both the likelihood of crashing and the severity of the crash outcome.
“The message is simple, don’t speed. Otherwise you may find yourself with heavy fines, loss of your driver’s license or even imprisoned. More importantly help us make our roads safer.”
ACT Police officers issued 7,128 Traffic Infringement Notices (TINs) for speeding in 2012. Some 112 TINs were issued to drivers caught exceeding the speed limit by more than 45km/h.
“What does it take for people to understand that speeding is extremely dangerous? The chances of surviving a collision when travelling at such speed are marginal at best,” Sergeant Anderson said.
“Speeding is a choice people make and people can just as easily make the choice to slow down and save lives.”
Fines for speeding range from a minimum of $167 and the loss of one demerit point to over $1,800 and the loss of six demerit points for each offence.
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