ACT Roads See Fatal Incidents Ahead of Australia Day Weekend
The Australian Capital Territory (ACT) has experienced a series of road incidents in late January, leading to multiple fatalities and injuries. Three separate collisions have been reported across the region, prompting an appeal from ACT Policing regarding road safety ahead of the Australia Day long weekend.
Investigations into the circumstances of each incident are currently underway.
Monaro Highway Collision Claims First ACT Road Fatality of 2024
On Friday morning, approximately 11:30 AM, a 25-year-old male driver died following a collision between a car and a truck on the Monaro Highway. The incident occurred near the intersection of Monaro Highway and Royalla Drive, south of Canberra.
Emergency services provided treatment to the car's driver at the scene before he was transported to a hospital in critical condition. He was pronounced deceased later on Friday afternoon. This incident was identified as the first road fatality for the current year in the ACT.
The ACT Police's Major Collisions Team is investigating the circumstances of the collision. A report will be prepared for the coroner. Authorities have requested that any individuals who witnessed the event and have not yet provided information contact Crime Stoppers.
Multi-Vehicle Crash on Federal Highway
Earlier on the same Friday, approximately one hour prior to the Monaro Highway incident, a separate multi-vehicle collision occurred on the Federal Highway at Bywong. This crash, located south of Lake George, resulted in two individuals being hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries.
All northbound lanes of the Federal Highway were closed for several hours following the incident.
O’Malley Single-Vehicle Crash Marks Third Fatality
On Saturday, January 24, at approximately 12:50 PM, a 41-year-old woman died in a single-vehicle crash in O’Malley. The incident occurred on Yamba Drive, near Mawson Drive, when a grey SUV collided with a tree.
The woman, identified as the passenger of the vehicle, was pronounced deceased at the scene. The 30-year-old male driver was transported to Canberra Hospital with serious injuries. Police reported that the individuals involved were known to each other. Members of the public stopped to assist at the crash site and provided accounts to police. This incident marked the third road death in Canberra for the current year.
ACT Policing is conducting an investigation into the O’Malley crash. Police have requested that anyone who witnessed the crash or possesses relevant dashcam footage contact Crime Stoppers at 1800 333 000, quoting reference 8284050.
ACT Policing Issues Urgent Road Safety Appeal
Detective Inspector Elizabeth Swain of ACT Policing issued a statement urging motorists to monitor their speed, fatigue, distractions, and potential impairments from alcohol and drugs. The appeal was made in anticipation of increased travel for the Australia Day long weekend and the return from summer holidays.
Detective Inspector Swain emphasized the importance of proactive measures to ensure road safety, noting ACT Policing's intent to prevent further incidents on Canberra's roads.