A total of 19 vehicles have been impounded by police during the annual Summernats festival in Canberra, with 85 defect notices issued.
ACT Policing says 22 drivers were found to be impaired in the week of the event, with almost 20 vehicles seized during a high-visibility operation in the nation’s capital.
With temperatures reaching 35 degrees, the 38th running of Summernats attracted approximately 130,000 attendees from across the country, with 3000 vehicles entered into the car show, according to ABC News.
One yellow Holden VN Commodore with expired Victoria club permit number plates was impounded in the lead-up to the event, after police identified the vehicle as doing “sustained and dangerous burnout activity” on the Barton Highway in videos posted to social media.
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Another Holden Commodore was seized on Saturday night, with police observing the 38-year-old Queensland driver conducting a burnout “just metres from pedestrians”.
“Unfortunately, police responded to several incidents of dangerous driving across the weekend,” Detective Inspector Steel said in a statement following the festival.
“This type of behaviour on our roads is unacceptable. If a driver loses control of their vehicle, they could seriously injure themselves and others.”
Six people were also arrested at the event, with reports of fights breaking out between patrons.
The Australian Federal Police conducted more than 2200 roadside alcohol and drug tests, resulting in eight arrests, while 197 infringement notices were issued for unsafe driving across the territory.
Summernats recently announced a second overseas event, with the festival heading to the Freedom Factory in Florida – owned in part by YouTuber Cleetus McFarland – this March.
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