ALMOST 10,000 people have been charged following a statewide road safety blitz, during the September school holidays.
The Queensland Police Service (QPS) charged 9,584 people in total, over the course of the operation, from September 14 to September 29.
Police conducted 40,506 Roadside Breath Test’s (RBT) and 2,265 Roadside Drug Tests (RDT).
Operations resulted in 446 drivers being charged with drink driving and 417 motorists with drug driving.
In addition to these incidents, 3,606 motorists were issued tickets for speeding offences and 126 for seat belt offences, as well as other misdemeanours.
Operations included high-visibility highway patrols, static RBT and RDT operations and targeted patrols of high-risk locations, based on information received from the public.
Acting Chief Superintendent Garrath Channells said, while the majority of motorists do the right thing, it’s minority who drive dangerously and put the lives of all road users at risk.
“QPS is dedicated to keep motorists safe by enforcing a zero-tolerance policy for those found to be driving dangerously,” Acting Chief Superintendent Garrath Channells said.
“One offence during the operation involved police intercepting a vehicle speeding, to find an unrestrained five-year-old girl lying on the backseat and the driver to have a suspended licence.
“That behaviour put the life of a child at risk, and the driver was charged with three offences and will go before court.
“Every decision you make behind the wheel not only impacts yourself, but all those around you on the road.
“Simple things like wearing a seatbelt significantly improves your chances of surviving a crash. Yet almost one in ten Queenslanders still admit to not always wearing one.
“Too many lives have been lost on Queensland roads this year and we do not want to see this figure climb any higher.”
As students across Queensland are now returning to school, QPS wants to remind road users that school speed zones are back in place to create a safe environment for children.
Police will be patrolling school zones throughout Queensland and targeting dangerous driving, including speeding and distracted driving.
Acting Chief Superintendent Garrath Channells said school holidays may be over, but road safety police operations are not.
“We want to remind parents, caregivers and everyone driving in school zones to exercise their common sense, drive with patience and courtesy.
“Parking unlawfully, blocking intersections and driveways along with not adhering to speed limits or driving carelessly, creates dangers for children going to and from school.
“We need to work together to make our roads safer, so motorists should continue to expect to see police anywhere, anytime.”
As of September 29, there have been 212 lives have tragically been lost on Queensland roads, a significant rise from the 208 lives lost, at this time last year. Many of these fatalities have been the result of speeding or dangerous driving.
The Queensland Police Service is committed to reducing the number of lives lost on our roads.
Data shows that serious crashes can be significantly reduced when drivers recognise and avoid the ‘Fatal Five’ behaviours: speeding, drink and drug driving, not wearing seatbelts, fatigue and distraction.
Road safety is everyone’s responsibility. Learn more about staying safe on Queensland roads: https://www.police.qld.gov.au/initiatives/fatal-five-staying-safe-roads.
