27 September 2023

Police protect vulnerable road users

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ACT Policing is targeting driver behaviour that risks the safety of vulnerable road users as part of its traffic focus for March.

Officer in Charge of Traffic Operations at ACT Policing, Detective Station Sergeant Marcus Boorman said children, pedestrians, motorcyclists and cyclists were all considered vulnerable road users as they did not have the same protection as a car during a collision.

“It’s important to remember the road is a shared space, regardless of how you use the road,” Det Station Sgt Boorman said.

“We ask that all road users be alert of their surroundings, be vigilant and concentrate when travelling on our roads – particularly in the wet conditions as we have seen this past week.”

He said police were actively targeting the safe overtaking of cyclists, with vehicles required to remain a minimum of one metre away from a cyclist in speed zones at or below 60km/h, and 1.5 metres in speed zones above 60 km/h.

“Road users should treat cyclists as if they were any other vehicle, including giving way when required and keeping a safe distance,” Det Station Sgt Boorman said.

“Police have been conducting, and will continue to conduct, targeted operations focused on the safe passing of cyclists – the next cyclist you pass could be a police officer.”

He said the road safety campaign was being run jointly with the Justice and Community Safety Directorate and formed part of the ACT Road Safety Strategy 2011-20.

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