Light rail accident on 7 July 2022. Photo: John Mikita.
A 50-year-old McKellar man has lost his licence and will face court after allegedly driving through a red light and colliding with a light rail vehicle (LRV).
According to police, the driver was four times over the legal alcohol limit.
At 6:10 pm last night (7 July), ACT Policing responded to reports of a collision between a Mitsubishi Triton ute and the Transport Canberra LRV 013 at the intersection of Murdoch Street and Northbourne Avenue in Dickson.
Police and emergency services attended the scene. There were no injuries sustained to the driver of either vehicle or any occupants inside the LRV.
The Mitsubishi driver participated in a roadside breath screening where police say he returned a positive blood alcohol reading of 0.189.
The man will be summoned to appear before the ACT Magistrates Court for driving a prescribed content of alcohol, disobeying a red traffic arrow and driving into the path of a tram.
Superintendent Road Policing Corey Heldon reminded Canberrans to remain vigilant on the roads at all times.
Light rail accident on 7 July 2022. Photo: John Mikita.
“This was an incredibly fortunate outcome, but this could have easily been our 11th road fatality this year,” Supt Heldon said.
“There are no circumstances where driving under the influence of alcohol is acceptable. If you are caught doing the wrong thing, you will face the full consequences of the law.”
This is the second tram accident in three weeks. Drivers were urged to avoid Northbourne Avenue on the morning of 24 June following a collision between a pedestrian and an LRV. A man was hit at 8 am just north of Ipima Street. Bus replacement services were in place while the scene was cleared.
In July 2019, a car collided with an LRV on the corner of Northbourne Avenue and Swinden Street in Downer at 12:40 pm. Services were down for less than an hour.
A month later, in August 2019, a 61-year-old man was taken to hospital in a serious condition after he was hit by an LRV on the corner of Barry Drive and Northbourne Avenue. This coincided with the launch of Canberra Metro and the ACT Government’s Rail Safety Week campaign.
Canberra Metro reminds pedestrians and motorists that LRVs take longer to come to a stop than road vehicles and cannot swerve to avoid contact.
“LRVs are wider than the tracks. Stay well clear as they approach and leave them plenty of room. Light rail vehicles have priority as they approach intersections and crossings. Please be alert and obey all traffic signals and signs.”
Loading ...
