Canberra Metro has suspended a light rail driver after dashcam footage showed the tram almost colliding with a car after running a red light on the weekend.
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Uber driver Khawar Jadoon said he was lucky to be uninjured after the light rail vehicle ran through a T-intersection at Randwick Road in Mitchell about 8.30am on Saturday.
Mr Jadoon had a green light to turn onto Flemington Road but had to slam on the brakes as the light rail vehicle belted through the intersection.
The dashcam footage, posted to the Canberra Drivers Facebook page on Sunday, has since been viewed more than 46,000 times.
A Canberra Metro spokesperson said based on CCTV footage, the near-miss was caused by driver error.
"In accordance with Canberra Metro Operations policies, the light rail vehicle driver has been suspended from driving duties while a full investigation takes place. As the investigation is still underway, we are unable to provide further information at this stage," the spokesperson said.
"Safety of the public and our staff is Canberra Metro’s highest priority and we regret that on this occasion this founding principle of the Canberra light rail project has not been upheld. Following the rules of the road is the key to staying safe around light rail and this applies as much to ourselves as it does other road users."
The incident occurred 40 minutes after a man was struck by a tram at the intersection of Northbourne Avenue and Barry Drive on Saturday.
The man, who suffered injuries to his upper body and legs, was said to have stepped in front of the light rail vehicle against a red signal while wearing headphones.
The light rail is undergoing testing ahead of its official start later next month.
Mr Jadoon said he was fortunate to have reacted so quickly, and urged others to drive cautiously near intersections along the light rail route.
"I just freaked out. It was very scary for me. I would have been wiped out for the rest of my life, I'm lucky to be safe and happy I was paying full attention," Mr Jadoon said.
Mr Jadoon also addressed criticism that he ran a red light at the end of the video, saying he had no choice as he was already in the intersection and the tram was crossing during his green light.
"I have a clean driving history, I always try to be safe," he said.
Separately, another woman has told The Canberra Times she had a similar experience while turning right from Mouat Street in Lyneham on to Northbourne Avenue last Monday around 8am.
"We got the green arrow and straight through light and then all had to come to a stop because a tram went sailing through. Fortunately our light had only just changed and we stopped just a car length over the line and not in any kind of hurry. But he definitely didn't have a green light," she said.
ACT Policing said the incident captured on dashcam had not been reported to police, nor were their traffic operations officers aware of any similar incidents.
The ACT Opposition's transport spokeswoman Candice Burch said the government "owes it" to the Canberra community to audit and report on all incidents that have occurred during construction and testing.
“It is unclear if the light rail vehicle ran a red light, or if this is a signalling failure. Either way, the public safety concerns are significant and Canberrans deserve a full explanation for the minister as a matter of urgency,” Ms Burch said.
Do you know more? Email katie.burgess@canberratimes.com.au
