ACT Policing are reminding householder drivers that despite Canberra’s string of frosty mornings, the city’s criminals are out there targeting unattended but idling vehicles.
Police Detective Acting Inspector Jason Dziubinski said that despite annual reminders from police, many morning people were continuing to leave their vehicles unattended.
“Last winter we recorded at least 21 vehicles stolen while they were outside homes, warming up and defrosting without the driver present,” Detective A/Inspector Dziubinski said.
“And already this winter police have received reports of more vehicles being stolen this way,” he said.
“Only last week we had a defrosting vehicle stolen from the front of a home in Campbell.”
Detective A/Inspector Dziubinski urged drivers to remain in their vehicle for the few minutes that it took to properly defrost the windows.
“If you need to clear your windows in a hurry – free ice scrapers are available at all police stations,” he said.
The A/Inspector also reminded drivers that it’s an offence and “a very risky act” to drive with foggy or icy windows.
ACT Road Policing Senior Constable Aaron Cherry said people who only partially removed the frost from their cars or drove while there was still mist on the inside of the windows were putting themselves, their passengers and other road users at risk.
“Modern vehicles are set up to reasonably quickly defrost and demist windows,” Senior Constable Cherry said.
“If you leave the settings on auto – in most cases it is just a few minutes for all windows to become clear,” he said.
“While it is an offence to have an obscured view out of a vehicle, attracting a fine of $205, we would much prefer people did the right thing, waited a few minutes until all windows are clear and then moved off.”
