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Canberra's motorists appear to be becoming more responsible after police issued nearly 1800 fewer traffic infringement notices to drivers in 2018 than in the previous year. ACT Policing data show officers issued 10,565 of the notices to drivers in 2018, compared with 12,357 in 2017. But the number of tickets given out for speeding offences remained much the same. “Police are on Canberra’s roads targeting speeding motorists,” Acting Station Sergeant David Wills said on Friday. “When you speed, you have less time to slow down and the harder you hit.” An average of 358 infringement notices for speeding were handed out a month in the ACT in 2018, or just under 12 a day. This is compared to an average of 355 a month in 2017. During Christmas and New Year, when drivers incurred double demerits, police issued 159 tickets for speeding. Traffic infringement notices and fines for speeding in the ACT can start at $279 and one demerit point, and go up to more than $2136 and six demerit points for each offence. “Speeding is a choice. You might think it’s only a little bit over but it could change your life forever," Acting Sergeant Wills said. With some students starting the new school year on Monday, and other students starting on Tuesday, Acting Sergeant Wills reminded motorists to stick to the 40km/h school zone speed limits in place from 8am to 4pm. Of a total 4256 speeding tickets issued in the ACT in 2018, 586 were given out in school zones. “We are going into another school year so I want to stress when driving in or near a school zone, drivers stick to sign-posted speed limit and stay alert,” he said. “Children are some of our most vulnerable road users and we want to ensure their safety travelling to and from school." Of the 10,565 notices issued in the ACT in 2018, more than 6000 were for offences other than speeding, including unregistered vehicles and negligent driving. Traffic infringement notices do not apply for parking offences. Belconnen recorded the most traffic infringement notices issued in the ACT in 2018, with 3591. The inner north wasn't too far behind, with 2894 issued, while the Molonglo district had the fewest offences recorded at 128. Belconnen also recorded the most traffic infringement notices issued in 2017, with 3633. Speeding motorists will be targeted this month as part of a joint road safety campaign between ACT Policing and the Justice and Community Safety Directorate. The campaign forms part of the long-term ACT road safety strategy 2011-2020, which prioritises a "Vision Zero" approach to safety.

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