'Unacceptable': nearly 700 drivers caught speeding in November

Police have blasted the number of drivers speeding on the ACT’s roads as “unacceptable” after nearly 700 were caught over the speed limit in just one month.

ACT Policing said 685 drivers were found to be speeding across Canberra in November 2024, with 11 caught at more than 45 km/h above the speed limit.

This more than doubled October’s total of 277.

Men and women of all ages and experiences were issued traffic infringement notices last month.

For instance, a 39-year-old man drove a Mercedes at 150 km/h in a 90 km/h zone, a 29-year-old learner rode his motorbike at 142 km/h in a 70 km/h zone, and a 49-year-old woman drove a Mitsubishi Pajero at 115 km/h in a 60 km/h zone.

There were several other significant examples.

A 25-year-old man rode a motorbike at 161 km/h on the Majura Parkway in a 100 km/h zone, and a 32-year-old man drove a Ford Sedan at 135 km/h in an 80 km/h zone.

Also, an 18-year-old man drove a Volkswagen Golf at 151 km/h on the Majura Parkway in a 100km/h zone after only holding a provisional licence for just one week.

In addition, three motorcyclists – two of whom held learner licences and one who held a provisional licence – were detected travelling more than 30 km/h over the speed limit.

The Officer in Charge of Road Policing, Detective Inspector Mark Steel, said the figures were extremely disappointing and showed the message was not getting through to these road users.

“People who willfully speed are gambling with not only their own lives, but the lives of other road users who deserve to get home safely, so to see these speeds that were observed throughout November is unacceptable,” he said.

“This year we have already seen 10 lives lost on ACT roads, that is 10 too many.

“As a community, we all need to take a stand, and I would urge everyone to take personal responsibility every day to reduce our road toll.”

Detective Inspector Steel said speeding reduces a driver’s ability to control the vehicle and lengthens stopping distances, increasing both the likelihood of crashing and the severity of the crash outcome.

“When you place your hands on the wheel and your foot on the accelerator, you make the decision to speed or not. Last month, 685 drivers made the wrong choice, and they were caught,” he said.

Throughout December and heading into the festive season, police will target those who are driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Police said drink and drug driving are major contributors to crashes and road fatalities.

“If you do choose to drive impaired by alcohol or drugs, you not only risk your life and the lives of others, you will be caught and face the full consequences of your actions,” Detective Inspector Steel said.

Ten people have died from crashes on the ACT’s roads this year.

Joshua Stewart, 19, died in January after a crash on the Barton Highway. A 14-year-old boy has been charged and is before the courts, while a teenage passenger died months later.

Alicia Celaya Jauregui was killed while riding her bike on Lady Denman Drive in March.

A 15-year-old boy died after a crash in Yarralumla on 17 April. Another 15-year-old was charged with manslaughter and remains before the courts.

A 46-year-old motorbike rider died after a single-vehicle crash on 21 April, while another was killed in a two-vehicle crash on 23 May.

A 47-year-old died after a motorcycle and a light truck crashed on 18 June, a 28-year-old motorcyclist died after a fall on 25 October, a 33-year-old died after a single-vehicle accident on 31 October, while a 26-year-old died after a single-vehicle crash on 10 November.

The 10th fatal crash was on 24 November, when a 66-year-old on an e-bike crashed into a wall.

Meanwhile, a head-on car crash resulted in the death of a seven-month-old unborn baby on Parkes Way on 16 November.