The message from ACT Policing during this year’s Summernat’s event is clear; if you choose to break the law, expect to get caught. Superintendent Mark Colbran said the safety of all Canberrans is ACT Policing’s number one concern.
“Our primary responsibility is the safety of everyone in Canberra. If people choose to break the law then they should be prepared to wear the consequences”
Police intend to clamp down rigorously on any irresponsible and/or dangerous driving behaviour during the Summernats event. Under ACT legislation, police have the power to seize vehicles for burnouts, menacing driving or street racing on public roadways.
Police will be conducting random breath tests as well as using the RAPID number plate recognition system to identify unlicensed drivers, unregistered and/or unroadworthy vehicles. During last year’s event police checked more than 13,000 cars with 349 infringement notices issued to motorists for various offences.
Last year’s event was relatively incident free and ACT Policing are hoping for a similar result this year. Although the number of incidents was low, police will be on stand-by to provide assistance to Summernat’s security staff should it be required.
Superintendent Colbran said certain areas of the EPIC precinct will become alcohol free zones during the four day event and police will be monitoring these areas.
“The public should be aware that for the duration of the event, designated alcohol-free zones have been gazetted in significant parts of Mitchell, Downer, Lyneham, and Watson including Northbourne Avenue, Flemington Road and Aspinall Street,” Superintendent Colbran said.
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