ACT Policing has turned its attention to light rail safety as part of its monthly traffic focus following 21 incidents since January of light rail drivers having to use emergency brakes to avoid collision.
Officer-in-Charge of ACT Road Policing, Detective Inspector Paul Hutcheson said officers would be paying attention to all forms of commuter behaviour, including pedestrians and cyclists who were crossing roads to use the light rail, or crossing the tracks.
“Drivers are also reminded to obey traffic light signals connected to the light rail network, and to remember light rail vehicles get priority at intersections, which means traffic light sequences can vary,” Detective Inspector Hutcheson said.
“The message this month is all about vulnerable road users’ safety,” he said.
“Our roads in Canberra are diversifying and we need to be more aware of everyone using our road and light rail network.”
Detective Inspector Hutcheson said drivers had a responsibility to keep a look out for light rail vehicles and people in high pedestrian areas.
He said pedestrians using light rail also had a responsibility to use marked crossings and to look both ways when crossing any road.
“The March 2023 Road Traffic focus shines a light on a different group of commuters each week including pedestrians, buses, light rail, bikes and e-scooters,” Detective Inspector Hutcheson said.
