Canberra drivers are being reminded to slow down when passing emergency services vehicles following a recent incident which put police officers in danger.
Acting Superintendent Road Policing, Stephen Booth said drivers were required to slow down to 40km/h when passing emergency services vehicles that were displaying a blue or red flashing light.
“While the majority of Canberrans comply with these road rules, there are some who do not,” Acting Superintendent Booth said.
“While this law was introduced in 2018, ACT Policing officers still find that people are unsure of the 40km/h requirement,” he said.
“Sticking to this speed limit is an important safety measure for emergency service workers’ as they go about their work on Canberra’s roads.”
A/Supt Booth said everyone had a role to play in providing a safe working environment for the Territory’s emergency service workers on the road or roadside.
He said the infringement notice penalty for failing to slow near emergency vehicles was $257 and two demerit points.
“Recently, ACT Policing officers charged a 40-year-old man with offences, including drug driving, driving with a suspended licence and driving in excess of 40km/h when passing an emergency service vehicle,” he said.
“The officers were conducting a routine traffic stop when this driver passed them at speed.”
A/Supt Booth said a magistrate had found the man guilty of all charges and the penalty for not slowing down when passing police was a fine of $500.
“If the man fails to pay this fine, he will be imprisoned for two days,” he said.
