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ACT Policing seized 19 vehicles and caught 22 impaired drivers in the lead up to and during this year’s Summernats.
The 38th Summernats event was held from Thursday, 8 January 2026 until Sunday, 11 January 2026 at Exhibition Park in Canberra.
Over the course of the four days, ACT Policing conducted high-visibility patrols both in and around the event, and on Canberra roads.
In one incident on Saturday evening (10 January 2026), police observed a green Holden Commodore conduct a burnout just metres from pedestrians at the intersection of Kunzea and Dryandra Streets in O’Connor.
Police conducted a traffic stop on the Holden Commodore and the driver, a 38-year-old Queensland man, was placed under arrest.
He was issued with an immediate suspension notice, suspending his right to drive in the ACT for 90 days, and his Holden Commodore was also seized.
The man will face court at a later date, charged with aggravated dangerous driving.
In addition to this incident, a number of other drivers came to police attention throughout the weekend for hoon driving and anti-social behaviour.
Six arrests were made at the event, with a further eight arrests made on ACT roads as a result of impaired driving and dangerous driving behavior, including burnouts. A total of 197 traffic infringement notices for speeding and other unsafe driving behaviour were issued across the four days.
More than 2,200 roadside alcohol and drug tests were conducted, and police issued more than 85 vehicle defect notices.
ACT Policing Detective Inspector Mark Steel said that while Summernats crowds were generally well behaved, he was disappointed with those who engaged in hoon driving outside of the event.
“Unfortunately, police responded to several incidents of dangerous driving across the weekend including at a gathering in O’Connor,” Detective Inspector Steel said.
“This type of behaviour on our roads is unacceptable. If a driver loses control of their vehicle, they could seriously injure themselves and others.”