ACT Policing has reported a major surge in dangerous and anti-social behaviour during Canberra's iconic Summernats 2026 festival, culminating in a significant number of vehicle seizures and arrests. The event, described by authorities as their "biggest" in terms of operational footprint, saw road policing officers impound 19 cars for illegal burnouts and other offences.
Spike in Dangerous Driving Leads to Crackdown
Detective Inspector Mark Steel, officer in charge of ACT Road Policing, confirmed that the dangerous driving was not limited to festival entrants. The behaviour was split evenly between Summernats participants, spectators, and local residents, who allegedly used the event as cover for their own reckless acts on public roads.
Police data reveals a dramatic increase compared to the previous year. During Summernats 37 in 2025, only five vehicles were impounded. This year, that number more than tripled, with seven vehicles seized even before the official festival kick-off on January 8.
Detective Inspector Steel suggested the festival's later timing in 2026—a full week after New Year's Eve—may have contributed to the problem. "We found that people were coming into the territory earlier," he stated, noting that four vehicles were seized pre-festival and three more within the CBD before events began.
Arrests and Incidents Detailed
The police response resulted in eight arrests directly linked to dangerous driving. One particularly alarming incident occurred on the evening of Saturday, January 10, in the suburb of O'Connor. Officers allege a green Holden Commodore performed a burnout mere metres from pedestrians at the intersection of Kunzea and Dryandra streets.
The driver, a 38-year-old man from Queensland, was arrested and is expected to face the ACT Magistrates Court on an aggravated dangerous driving charge. His vehicle was seized and his right to drive in the ACT was immediately suspended for 90 days.
Beyond the road policing focus, general disorder also marred the event. At least 25 people were evicted from festival grounds between January 8 and 11. Police made additional arrests for matters including assault, breach of bail, and one case of a person carrying an offensive weapon at the Braddon Fringe Festival.
Widespread Traffic Offences and Impaired Driving
The enforcement blitz extended far beyond burnouts. ACT Road Policing officers issued more than 85 vehicle defect notices and nearly 200 traffic infringement notices during the festival period. The number of defect notices is anticipated to double or triple once reports from ACT government vehicle inspectors are finalised.
A significant concern for police was a marked increase in impaired driving. Officers conducted over 2200 random breath and drug tests. Fourteen drivers were allegedly found with drugs in their system, while eight recorded blood alcohol concentrations above the legal limit. This represents a sharp rise from the five drug-driving charges laid during the previous year's festival.
"I'd be lying if I said I wasn't disappointed with some of the behaviour on our roads," Detective Inspector Steel commented on Monday.
Massive Police Operation for 'Biggest Event'
Policing the festival, which reportedly attracted around 130,000 people, required a substantial operation. Every member of ACT Road Policing was on duty, supported by additional officers from the Australian Federal Police (AFP) and NSW Police.
"It's our biggest event for ACT Policing in terms of event footprint and members used," Detective Inspector Steel explained. The coordinated effort involved road closures across the city district and five inner suburbs to manage the influx of vehicles and people.
The operation focused on safety at the main venue, Exhibition Park in Canberra (EPIC), and the associated Braddon Fringe Festival. Despite the challenges, the police aim was clear: "It's our job to keep people safe out on the roads," Steel concluded.
