Three dangerous drivers were caught by ACT police yesterday in a six-hour period. All were repeat offenders – and Operation TORIC, launched this month, has them and other recidivist poor drivers in its sights.
The first man was a 27-year-old, subject to an outstanding warrant for driving offences.
About 4.30pm, officers conducting routine patrols observed the man driving a Subaru Forester.
Officers attempted to stop the vehicle in a cul-de-sac – but the driver sped up, drove directly at police, and mounted the kerb.
Operation TORIC officers tracked the vehicle as it sped through suburbs, doing more than 80km/h in 60km/h zones.
On Tharwa Drive, Gordon, the driver veered into oncoming traffic and drove directly at an officer who was outside his vehicle.
Police called off the pursuit due to their concerns for public safety.
The 27-year-old drove directly through an intersection, crossing the median strip of the Monaro Highway into oncoming southbound traffic. He collided with two vehicles and a tree before police caught him.
The man was driving on a disqualified licence, and later tested positive for an illicit substance in his system.
He has been charged with two counts of failing to stop for police and driving a motor vehicle at police, and single counts of disqualified driving and dangerous driving.
- Recidivist offenders in ACT will be caught and taken to court (25 August)
- Reform of bail and sentencing in ACT needed, AFPA says (25 August)
The second man was a 49-year-old on a suspended sentence. Although he was subject to a good behaviour order, including a condition not to drive a motor vehicle, police officers in Kenny witnessed him driving a Hyundai Elantra about 9.40pm.
He has been charged with driving while disqualified.
The third man was a 36-year-old who was caught driving unlicensed, at an excessive speed with an illicit substance in his system, about 10.25pm.
This man has also been charged with driving while disqualified, in addition to drug driving.
All three men are set to face the ACT Magistrates Court, where police will oppose bail.
