Safe driving
We all have a responsibility to keep our roads safe. When driving, ensure you know the road rules, drive to the conditions and be courteous and respectful to other drivers.
Speeding
Speeding reduces your ability to control your vehicle, shortens your reaction time and lengthens stopping distances. When you speed, you increase the likelihood and severity of a collision. Speed limits are there for a reason and we actively target speeding drivers.
Seatbelts
Seatbelts save lives – they play an important role in keeping you safe in a collision. It is illegal in Australia for drivers and passages to drive without wearing a seatbelt.
Driving to the conditions
Drivers should always drive to the conditions on the road, taking into account wet weather, ice, fog and snow and adjust their driving accordingly.
Alcohol and drug impaired driving
Alcohol and drugs can significantly impair your ability to drive safely. While there are legal limits for the amount of alcohol you can consume before driving, it is illegal for any traces of illicit drugs to be in your system when driving.
Driver distraction
Driving is a skill that requires your full attention. Anything that takes your attention away from the road or that causes a distraction could lead to a collision. This includes talking on your mobile phone, reaching for things in your car, attending to children in the back seat or eating and drinking while driving.
Anti-social driving
Anti-social driving is a form of intimidating driving behaviour; it can include speeding, burnouts, tailgating, menacing driving and street racing. These illegal activities may result in the loss of licence, heavy fines, seizure of vehicles and potentially imprisonment.
Driver fatigue
It is more important to get to your destination safely than quickly. If you are going on a long trip, or have worked late and had limited sleep, avoid driving until you are well rested. Being tired can cause driver fatigue and impact on your driving ability.
Collisions
If you have been involved in a collision in the ACT you must by law report it to police within 24 hours. You can do this via the online reporting form.
ACT Policing actively targets drivers to ensure our roads remain safe. If you are driving in an unsafe manner you could receive a traffic fine, lose you licence, have your vehicle seized or even face imprisonment.
Traffic controls
Traffic controls are traffic lights and arrows, stop and give-way signs, road markings and roundabouts. These controls are not optional or negotiable. They are on our roads to help keep road users safe.
Licence demerit points
ACT Traffic Infringements Notices are issued for speeding, unregistered vehicles, negligent driving and other traffic related offences. In addition to paying a fine, infringements can result in demerit points. For more information, visit the Access Canberra Demerit Points webpage.