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The Canberra Times
The Canberra Times
Steve Evans

Police asked Canberrans to dob-in bad drivers, and they delivered

Fifty four drivers have been punished for running red lights in Canberra after being reported to the police by other drivers.

In May, ACT Policing expanded a scheme where offences could be reported by the public to include dangerous driving.

They offered a way for complainants to upload dashcam footage.

The result is that 54 offenders have been fined. The police said that running red lights was the most common offence reported.

Altogether, 360 dangerous driving reports were received online. Of these, 167 drivers were given traffic infringement notices, 66 had cautions or warnings, and six matters were still being investigated.

The officer in charge of road policing, Detective Inspector Mark Steel, said that dashcams gave police "the ability to have eyes anywhere, anytime".

He urged drivers to remember this when they got behind the steering wheel.

"While police are happy to see so many people are already using the online portal, we are very disappointed to see the volume of poor driving behaviour occurring daily," he said.

"Over half of all collisions in the ACT occur at intersections. Drivers who don't obey traffic lights and signs can end up with serious injuries or in some cases deceased.

"Accelerating at a yellow light instead of stopping because you are in a hurry to get home, could end up with you never making it home again. Be patient and pay attention to the traffic controls. Obey the signs and avoid the fines."

Screenshots from footage provided to police of Canberra drivers running red lights.

Over the last year, the police in the ACT had caught people ignoring red lights at the rate of more than one a day.

"While Road Policing officers will continue to be out and about in the community, we're encouraging members of the public to come forward with this kind of dashcam footage," the inspector said.

"Members of the public who capture dash-cam or mobile phone footage of driving offences, including dangerous driving, road rage, careless driving, mobile phone, red light, and seatbelt offences can report these instances via online reporting portal."

The police promised they would "support witnesses through the court process, noting that many matters are dealt with by police without proceeding to court".

The police said the portal to upload video was in addition to the usual methods of reporting crime and traffic offences. "People can still report these matters to Crime Stoppers, the police assistance line (131 444) or by attending a police station. In an emergency or life-threatening situation, always call Triple Zero (000)."

No! Picture by Elesa Kurtz
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