The ACT has recorded its first two deaths on the roads of 2025 with both incidents happening on the same day.

A 22-year-old female motorcyclist died on 14 March after she sustained injuries in a collision with a bus at the Barton Highway and Gold Creek Road intersection in Nicholls on 11 March.

On the day the motorcyclist died, police caught a P-plate motorcyclist, a 20-year-old Casey man, riding at 161km/h in a 100km/h zone on Majura Parkway.

Also on 11 March, the ACT’s first road fatality for the year was recorded when a 70-year-old male cyclist was struck by a car on Northbourne Avenue. ACT Policing is seeking dashcam footage of a grey 2013 BMW sedan driving in the city in relation to the incident.

“Police are seeking any witnesses or dashcam footage of the vehicle being driven from Gungahlin to the City between 7-7:30pm, or from the city to Lyneham between 9-9:20pm on Tuesday, 11 March,” a statement by ACT Policing said.

“Anyone who can assist is asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or via the Crime Stoppers ACT website.

“Please quote reference number 7993630. Information can be provided anonymously.”

ACT Policing Acting Inspector Will Stevenson, from Road Policing, said drivers shared the road with vulnerable road users, including cyclists.

He said when driving in an under 60km/h zone, motorists must keep at least a one-metre berth between them and the bicycle. This increases to 1.5m when the speed limit is more than 60km/h.

“You are allowed to cross solid lines if you need to slow down because a cyclist is beside you,” he said.

“It will only take a few seconds to clear, so give them that courtesy.”

Acting Inspector Stevenson said motorists should consider while driving, “If it was my family members on the bicycle, how would I want other motorists to treat them?”

“My goal in road policing is vision zero, but the reality of that is different,” he said.

“It comes down to everyone collaborating in doing the right thing at the right time.

“The statistics speak for themselves, not everyone is doing the right thing.”

Acting Inspector Stevenson said when it came to bicycle riders, they must follow the road rules.

“You can’t pick and choose one over the other – you’re either a vehicle or a pedestrian,” he said.

“On the road, you are a motorist, and you have to adhere to the road rules.”

Acting Inspector Stevenson said riders must also wear a helmet.

How to deal with road rage incidents

ACT Policing recently charged a 25-year-old Gungahlin man with driving offences and assault following several road rage incidents across Canberra’s north.

Police allege between June 2024 and February 2025, the man caused collisions and was involved in other driving incidents where he acted aggressively and failed to exchange details with other drivers.

In one incident in November 2024, the man climbed into the tray of a Toyota Hilux after allegedly ramming it twice, before using items in the tray to break the rear window and kick the driver repeatedly.

Acting Inspector Stevenson said when people left their houses, they didn’t expect to be confronted by other motorists.

“Something you have or haven’t done can create this emotional outburst where they have overreacted to what the situation is,” he said.

“Just because someone may not have had a head check, or come into your lane unsafely, you can be upset but does that mean you threaten them with a bat and severe injuries?

“No – you’ve got to have cooler heads prevail.”

Acting Inspector Stevenson said there were several things road users could do when they became a victim of road rage: contact police on triple-0 if it is an emergency, pull over if it is safe to do so, or head to a police station.

He also suggested motorists don’t speed away as it could cause a crash.

“If you have a passenger in the car get them to film because it helps police to make charges and make people accountable for their actions,” Acting Inspector Stevenson said.

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