Police in the ACT are expecting a significant spike in traffic offences in the next six weeks in response to increased enforcement leading into the festive season.
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In the past 10 months, police have issued 7992 infringement notices for what are described as the "fatal five": speeding, driver impairment, not wearing a seat belt, driver distraction and failing to stop or give way at intersections.
While this is below the 11,993 infringements issued for these five main offences for the full 12 months of 2018, the ACT's officer in charge of traffic, station sergeant Marcus Boorman, said the Canberra community could expect to see more police presence in the weeks ahead.
"You are going to see some traditional-type traffic enforcement and some innovative strategies being used by police in the weeks ahead," he said.
Speeding was the biggest problem for police during the past 10 months, with 3981 infringements issued. Failing to stop or give way at intersections was the next significant issue, with 1223 infringements over the same period.
Using a mobile phone while driving accounted for 1094 tickets issued, followed by drink-driving (784 infringements), drug-affected driving (728 ) and failing to wear a set belt (182).
With the holiday season one of the riskiest periods for road users, ACT and NSW police will be working together on patrolling the busy main highways.
"Zero fatalities is possible if we all do the right thing," sergeant Boorman said.
"Leading up to Christmas we will be doing targeted operations, increasing our random breath testing and doing everything we can to make sure everyone gets home safely."
