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The Canberra Times
The Canberra Times
National

P-platers allegedly racing at double speed limit prompt safety call

Detective Inspector, Marcus Boorman said there has been an extremely concerning spike in speeding offences in the ACT this year. Picture: Matt Loxton

Two teenage drivers allegedly caught racing along Aikman Drive at double the speed limit have prompted a renewed plea from police for motorists to slow down.

Police say the two 17-year-old provisional drivers were detected on Aikan Drive, Belconnen on November 6 in a silver Holden sedan and a black Holden sedan racing one another, going 135km/h in a 60km/h zone.

In a statement police said the drivers told officers they "had no reason for speeding or racing".

The driver of black Holden was seen later the same day on College Street, Bruce going 58km/h in a 40km/h school zone.

Detective Inspector Marcus Boorman said there had been an "extremely concerning" spike in speeding offences in 2020, with 4093 infringements handed out this year to October 31. More than the 4056 issued for the entirety of 2019.

"I'm baffled that these young drivers thought this kind of reckless behaviour was acceptable in our community," Detective Inspector Boorman said.

"Street racing is beyond irresponsible, and could have had tragic consequences for these drivers, or even worse, an innocent driver who may have just been in the wrong place at the wrong time."

The ACT's road toll climbed to six last week, with the death of a 16-year-old girl following a crash in Wanniassa, bringing it in line with the 2019 toll for the full calendar year.

Detective Inspector Boorman said police would be targeting speeding.

"Particularly high range speeding in the community, and we will hold these idiotic drivers to account," he said.

"This is why we're asking drivers to have a good look at themselves, and consider 'Who are you rushing to meet?', because as these drivers learned when you speed, you increase your chances of a meeting with police, or worse - a serious collision."

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