Starting tomorrow, Tasmania Police will mobilise dedicated police resources across the state to undertake a series of high visibility, major road safety operations across all districts, featuring large scale traffic blitzes targeting dangerous driving behaviours.
And now there will be no second chances, with police no longer issuing cautions for traffic offences relation to the ‘fatal five’ offences – speeding, distraction, drink and drug driving, fatigue and not wearing seatbelts.
Instead, offending motorists will be issued with an infringement notice on the spot.
The coordinated road safety strategy- launched on the first day of National Road Safety Week today- complements Tasmania Police’s new traffic policing model to start from 1 July 2022, which will refocus its state-wide road policing resources.
“Enough is enough. We need to change people’s driving behaviour, and police – in partnership with the community – will be doing everything we can to help keep our roads safe,” Assistant Commissioner Operations Jonathan Higgins said.
“Of the 26 fatalities on Tasmanian roads this year, initial investigations suggest that 8 have involved speed as a contributing factor, 3 have involved alcohol or drugs and in a further 3 cases distraction has been identified as a contributing factor.
“These are not ‘accidents’. We all need to be making the right choices, every single time we get behind the wheel.”
Assistant Commissioner Higgins said that the new model will boost traffic policing capabilities across Tasmania.
“Tasmania Police is committed to making our roads as safe as possible, and it’s clear that more needs to be done to change driver behaviours,” he said.
“We have been reviewing our road safety model since last year, working with our stakeholders and our members to identify ways we can make our roads safer.”
“The new Road Policing Services model includes a dedicated highway patrol and will improve our ability to undertake intelligence-led, road safety operations across Tasmania.”
“This best-practice model is based on national research and is informed by other policing jurisdictions.
“Between now and 1 July, we’re consulting with our stakeholders and members and about how best to make the new model work, including the new highway patrols.
“Importantly, we’re not waiting until July to ramp up our traffic enforcement efforts.”
“Going forward we’ll be increasing our high-visibility presence on the roads, and there’ll be no second chances.”
“We will be out on the roads and highways. You will see us. You should expect to be pulled over. And if you’re doing the wrong thing – you will be issued with an infringement notice on the spot.”
“We need to change people’s driving behaviour, and we need the community’s support.”
Anyone who witnesses dangerous driving behaviour should report it immediately to police on 131 444.
If it’s an emergency or life threatening situation call Triple Zero (000).
If you can’t report it at the time but have footage, you can head to our evidence portal at https://www.police.tas.gov.au/what-we-do/traffic-policing/report/ and we’ll follow it up.
