Motorists in the capital now face harsher penalties if they are charged with speeding or dangerous driving.
On May 25, the Australian Capital Territory Government passed new laws aimed at reducing dangerous driving in the region and empowering police to take repeat drivers off local roads.
Three key changes have been made as part of the Road Safety Legislation Amendment Act 2024, which has been passed by the Legislative Assembly and is now in force.
Drivers who exceed the posted speed limit by more than 45km/h will now have their license suspended immediately, while police can now seize and impound their vehicle for 30, 60 or 90 days .
Currently, the maximum fine for exceeding the speed limit by 45km/h or more is $1841 and six demerit points, however this increases to $2136 in school zones.
Drivers in Canberra and Jervis Bay who repeatedly engage in street racing and screaming practices – such as drifting, donuts and burning – now also face court fines imposes up to $16,000 or a 12-month prison sentence.
These new penalties bring the territory closer to New South Wales, where reckless or angry driving carries a maximum fine of $2200 and nine months in prison for first-time offenders, or $3300 and 12 months for repeat offenders.
However, it has not gone as far as Queensland, which gives police the power to charge people monitor at organized hoon events, with fines of up to $6000.
However, neither the Australian Capital Territory nor New South Wales have the capacity to deal with impounded and confiscated vehicles, with only Queensland, Victoria, Western Australia, South Australia and the Northern Territory issuing penalties there.
The ACT Government said it would also “launch a public awareness and education campaign focused on dangerous driving later this year”.
The campaign will highlight a zero-tolerance stance towards dangerous driving and make the community aware of the potential penalties they will face.
