Officers from Rockhampton’s Highway Patrol recently conducted a concentrated traffic operation aimed at curbing road trauma across the Rockhampton region.
The high-visibility road safety operation focused on enforcement and engagement activities targeting dangerous driving behaviours, and the causal factors associated with fatal and serious injury traffic crashes.
Police issued more than 350 traffic infringement notices, including 99 speeding infringements, 33 stop sign offences, 20 seatbelt offences, and 13 mobile offences. A non-complaint electric power-assisted cycle (EPAC) was also seized.
Officers conducted 1500 roadside breath tests (RBTs) and 45 roadside drug tests (RDTs), detecting 9 drink drivers and 12 drug drivers.
Around 6.50pm on 27 August, police intercepted a grey Kia Sportage travelling along Lakes Creek Road in Berserker and conducted an initial roadside breath test (RBT).
The driver, a 30-year-old Ormeau man, recorded a blood alcohol concentration of 0.127 per cent back at Rockhampton Police Station.
He was charged with one count of driving a motor vehicle whilst over the middle alcohol limit.
He was issued a notice to appear before Rockhampton Magistrates Court on 25 September.
Around 4.30pm on 29 August, police observed a non-compliant EPAC being ridden at approximately 40 km/hr on the wrong side of the road along Adelaide Park Road in Yeppoon.
Police spoke with the 15-year-old male rider of the EPAC and seized the non-compliant device.
Capricornia District Inspector Ben Wiltshire said the level of proactive enforcement undertaken by Rockhampton Highway Patrol saw significant results across the wider Rockhampton area.
“Every interaction with a road user provides an opportunity to influence driving behaviour and prevent serious, or even fatal, outcomes.”
“The 21 impaired drivers removed from the road represent 21 opportunities where a tragedy may have been prevented.” “Our goal is simple – we want everyone to get home safely to their family, and the community can expect further enforcement to continue.”
The Queensland Police Service is committed to reducing the number of lives lost on our roads.
As part of Operation Interpose, police are bolstering high-visibility patrols right across the state, engaging with road users and enforcing the laws to deter dangerous driving behaviours.
Queenslanders can expect police – anywhere, anytime. However, enforcement alone cannot stop all dangerous driving behaviours.
Driving under the influence, speeding, driving distracted or while fatigued, or not wearing a seatbelt puts your life – and the lives of others – at serious risk. These dangerous behaviours will not be tolerated.
Road safety starts with you.
