Road safety will be a focus for ACT Policing during summer.
An Australian Road Safety Foundation (ARSF) spokesperson said there had been 10 deaths on ACT roads in 2024, well above the 2023 total of four fatalities.
ACT Policing has launched the Safe Summer campaign for the 2024-25 summer period.
ACT chief police officer Scott Lee said the campaign highlighted several key safety aspects, including alcohol and drug consumption, road safety and personal safety.
Chief police officer Lee said police would maintain a high visibility presence on ACT roads during summer with a focus to remove impaired and speeding drivers.
“The message heading into summer is simple – have fun, be safe, and remember your night out for the right reasons by making responsible decisions,” he said.
City and Government Services minister Tara Cheyne reminded Canberra drivers to slow down, put the phone away, avoid unsafe overtaking and drive to the conditions on the Kings Highway this summer.
She launched the annual Kings Highway Road Safety Partnership road safety campaign earlier this month. The highway stretches across NSW and the ACT.
“As we approach the peak summer holiday period, we know there will be more motorists on the road, particularly on the Kings Highway, as Canberrans head down the south coast,” Ms Cheyne said.
“I urge Canberrans to make road safety a priority this summer, so everyone gets where they need to.
“No one wants to cause a serious crash or fatality that keeps families apart.”
ACT Road Policing officer in charge detective inspector Mark Steel said ACT Policing would work with the NSW Police Force to target speeding, drug and alcohol impaired drivers, urging all road users to be aware of speed limits along the highway.
“We know that summertime sees an increase of vehicles and holiday-goers travelling along the Kings Highway,” detective inspector Steel said.
“This means that drivers should be patient, vigilant and allow additional time when travelling from Canberra to the south coast.
“Speeding and impaired driving are two of the top five factors in fatal collisions on our roads.
“This summer we want everyone who is travelling to reach their destination safely by slowing down, driving to the conditions, and taking a break every two hours.”
Detective inspector Steel encouraged motorists not to put the lives of those in their or other cars during the festive season at risk.
“Not only do police want everyone to arrive safely, but your friends and family are counting on your safe arrival too,” he said.
The NSW Police Force launched its campaign, Operation Christmas/New Year 2024 at 12:01am on 20 December, which will run until 11.59pm on 1 January 2025.
In the ACT and NSW, double demerit points will apply for the duration of the operation for speeding, mobile phone, seatbelt, and motorcycle helmet offences.
The deaths on ACT and surrounding NSW roads in 2024 include:
- The first fatality for the year in the ACT was a 19-year-old man who died as a result of two vehicle collision involving a stolen car, at the intersection of the Barton Highway and Clarrie Hermes Drive
- A 60-year-old man died after the car he was in left the roadway and hit a tree on at Crooked River Road, Gerroa, NSW on 12 January
- A 15-year-old boy died following a single vehicle collision on Adelaide Avenue, Yarralumla, ACT on 17 April
- A 28-year-old motorcyclist died after he lost control of his motorcycle while entering Gungahlin Drive from the Barton Highway, ACT, on-ramp, resulting in a fall on 25 October
- A 33-year-old woman was injured following a single-vehicle motorcycle crash on Lady Denman Drive, ACT on 31 October. She died the following day
- A 67-year-old driver died at the scene of a two-vehicle crash on the Kings Highway in Warri, NSW, between Braidwood and Bungendore, on 7 November
- A 26-year-old man died after a Toyota Hilux veered off the road at the Yarra Glen roundabout, crashing into a tree in Curtin, ACT on 10 November
- A man died in a single-vehicle crash on the Snowy Mountains Highway in Talbingo, NSW, on 15 November
- A 48-year-old woman died after being hit by a utility in Jerrabomberra, NSW on 17 November
- The 10th fatality for the year in the ACT was a 66-year-old cyclist who died after the e-bike they were riding collided with a wall at an underpass adjacent to Athllon Drive, in Kambah, ACT on 24 November
- A man died after two trucks collided on the Hume Highway near Cullerin, near Gunning, NSW on 13 December
- A 49-year-old Canberra man died after being struck by an object that dislodged from a caravan on Burley Griffin Way in Galong near Yass, NSW on 8 December
