ACT Policing carried out 1095 random breath tests this June long weekend (Friday 6 – Monday 9 June 2014) and issued 106 fines to motorists for traffic infringements in the ACT despite repeated warnings about increased police presence.

The majority of the TINS were issued for speeding (38) followed by unregistered vehicles (21). A further 60 cautions were handed out.

This was, however, a slight improvement on last year when 137 TINS were issued over the 2013 June long weekend and 50 were caught speeding.

Of the 1095 random breath tests, 10 people were caught drink driving.

While no deaths or serious injury occurred across the region, 13 motor vehicle collisions occurred including one with minor injuries which is being investigated by ACT Policing’s Collision Investigation and Reconstruction Team.

ACT Policing worked closely with NSW Police to conduct a number of joint patrol activities including one which resulted in the arrest of man driving up to 140km/h in a 100km/h zone on Saturday afternoon (June 7).

Later that evening, ACT Policing detected a Kawasaki motorcycle travelling at 173km/h in a 100km/h zone on the Monaro Highway. The driver returned a Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) of .112. He was issued with an Immediate Suspension Notice directing him not to drive. Later that night, he was detected again riding the same motorcycle on Monaro Highway and was stopped again by police, then returning a BAC reading was .051.

The man was arrested and lodged in the ACT Watch House, charged with drunk driving, dangerous driving, speeding and driving with a suspension notice in effect.
Traffic Operations Station Sergeant Rod Anderson said while the majority of Canberrans did the right thing, there were still members of the community who chose to ignore warnings from police.

”We’re grateful there were no fatalities or serious injuries over the long weekend and although the majority of road users were well behaved, some chose to ignore the warnings and the increased police presence on our roads,” Sergeant Anderson said.

“Those drivers received fines, double demerit points or will face court in relation to their manner of driving.”

Sergeant Anderson said Operation Snowsafe will continue through the snow season to the October long weekend with police targeting speeding, impaired driving, seatbelt offences and driver fatigue on roads leading to and from the snow fields.

ACT Policing will continue to target driver distraction during the month of June as part of its ongoing road safety campaign.