A driver has been hit with a $598 for not appropriately securing his load, which was extending well outside his vehicle in Belconnen this morning, Thursday 20 January.   

About 8.25am, police conducting mobile patrols in Belconnen saw a white Kia sedan travelling on Nettlefold Street with a length of orange electrical conduit protruding from the passenger side window of the vehicle. 

The man was driving with his right hand on the steering wheel and his left hand holding the conduit.  

When police stopped the vehicle, the driver explained he had just purchased the lengthy conduit and didn’t want to cut it to transport it home. 

The driver was directed to safely secure the load within his vehicle and issued an infringement notice for driving a vehicle with an unsecured load, which carries a fine of $598.   

Officer in Charge of ACT Road Policing, Acting Inspector Paul Hutcheson reminded drivers of the importance of appropriately and safely transporting items in their vehicles.    

“Thankfully on this occasion no one was injured, but imagine if this object had struck a cyclist, pedestrian, or another vulnerable road user. It could easily have caused significant injury, even at a relatively low speed in a residential area,” Acting Inspector Hutcheson said. 

“Police would also like to remind tradesmen and those keen to try some do-it-yourself projects this summer that any materials purchased from hardware stores are to be transported safely and appropriately. This means with approved load restraint devices, and ensuring objects do not protrude from the vehicle more than 150 mm from the outermost part of the vehicle on either side.”   

More information on how to safely secure a vehicle load can be found on the National Transport Commission website. 

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