Police are warning drivers to slow down after new speeding figures were revealed for July. Photo: File.
More than 900 people were caught speeding in the ACT in July, and 85 were caught speeding in a school zone, prompting ACT Policing to launch a new awareness campaign in August to combat the “disturbing” figures.
The number is almost double the average figures from January to May this year.
Speeding between 15 to 30 km/h over the limit accounted for around a third of all infringements in July, while 47 drivers were caught going more than 30 km/h over the limit. Eleven drivers were caught speeding at 45 km/h or more over the speed limit.
ACT Policing has been urging drivers to slow down all year after a spate of high-speed incidents during the lockdown in which several motorists were caught driving at over 200 km/h.
The number of speeding drivers per month this year has increased by an average of 30 per cent compared to the monthly average over the last three years, ACT Policing says.
“There are no excuses. The speed limit signs are nothing new. They tell you the maximum speed you’re allowed to drive at, and some people still don’t get it,” Officer in Charge of Road Policing Detective Inspector Marcus Boorman said.
“There were plenty of motorists treating the road as their personal speedway, and on average, every 49 minutes in July someone was detected speeding by police in Canberra.”
Detective Inspector Marcus Boorman has called the new speedings figures “disturbing”. Photo: Dominic Giannini.
ACT Policing will raise awareness about its Vision Zero road safety approach throughout August by asking motorists to be more mindful of each other this month by putting a spotlight on sharing the road.
“I hope this month can be more about awareness than enforcement. Think about how your behaviour impacts on others, and share the road,” Detective Inspector Boorman said.
“I’m talking about tailgating, not slowing when passing emergency vehicles, or driving too close to cyclists. Be alert and attentive on the road, and know your behaviour does make a difference.”
Next week is National Rail Safety Week and with Canberra’s light rail in its second year, police are reminding motorists to also be aware of the light rail in addition to pedestrians, cyclists, cars, buses and trucks.
The ACT Government has also launched two new driver safety programs in line with the Vision Zero target that specifically teaches learner drivers about vulnerable road users and how to safely share the road with cyclists, motorcycles and pedestrians.
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