Source: ACT Police
A 20-year-old man will face the ACT Magistrates Court today charged with 32 driving offences after allegedly failing to stop for police several times in 24 hours.
About 4.55pm on Wednesday, 22 January 2025, the man was observed riding a motorbike with a passenger and proceeding through a red light at the intersection of Soward Way and Anketell Street, Greenway.
Later that evening, police were conducting routine patrols when they observed a motorbike and two riders matching the description from the earlier incident at a playground in Greenway.
Despite police directing him to stop, the man took off on the motorbike and was seen swerving through nearby grassland and riding in close proximity to members of the public.
A short time later, police stationed at the intersection of Drakeford Drive and Mortimer Lewis Drive activated their emergency lights once again directing the motorbike to stop.
The rider did not stop, instead riding onto a green belt, under an underpass towards Oxley, and onto a footpath.
At this time, police stopped following the motorbike due to risks to the rider’s and public’s safety.
About 4.15pm yesterday (Thursday, 23 January 2025), police were conducting patrols in Greenway when they observed a motorbike with no registration plates being ridden by the same driver from the previous incidents.
The rider allegedly drove at speed away from police towards Oxley, where he was once again seen riding over a greenbelt.
Throughout the next 30 minutes, police continued to try to locate and engage with the rider, where he was observed crossing a double unbroken line, across dividing strips, and along footpaths, however lost sight of him due to his manner of driving.
About 5.30pm, police were continuing to patrol the area to locate the man, when he was found outside a residence in Wanniassa.
The man was subjected to a roadside alcohol screening test which returned a positive result.
He was subsequently taken to Tuggeranong Police Station to undergo a Breath Analysis Test where he recorded a Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) of 0.098, despite being subject to a zero alcohol limit due to being a suspended driver.
The 20-year-old has been charged with multiple offences including two counts of reckless driving, drink driving, three counts of driving while suspended, three counts of failing to stop for police, three counts of driving on a path, three counts using an unregistered vehicle, and three counts of using an uninsured vehicle.
Inspector Rod Anderson said running red lights and driving on footpaths posed serious risks, not only to drivers and their passengers, but to other road users and members of the community.
“This month, police are proactively targeting dangerous driving and members of the public can help us keep our roads safer by reporting incidents via ACT Policing’s Dangerous Driving online portal,” Inspector Anderson said.
