Sunshine Coast Highway Patrol and Tactical Crime Squad officers have conducted more than 950 random breath tests (RBT) and issued more than 100 traffic infringement notices (TIN) during a deployment to patrol Noosa North Shore and Double Island Point this Easter to enforce safe driving on the beach as part of Operation Sandstorm and Operation Whiskey Easter.
Over the four-day period, from Friday March 29 until Monday April 1, police issued 109 TINs, including one for public nuisance and three for drive without due care.
Officers conducted 968 RBTs, finding one person with a blood alcohol reading of 0.130, and of the 53 random drug tests completed, two returned positive.
One notice to appear (NTA) was issued for possessing dangerous drugs, and two NTAs for drug diversions.
In addition, three NTAs were issued for unlicensed driving, and six Defective Vehicle Rectification Notices (DVRN) were issued, with two vehicles ordered off the road due to illegal modifications.
Police intercepted a vehicle after seeing a passenger sitting on the door window, with part of their body outside the car, while the vehicle was driving in an 80 km/h speed zone on Teewah Beach.
The driver was fined $619 for driving without due care and attention/careless driving and $1161 for driving a vehicle while the passenger was unrestrained.
The passenger was fined $1161 for failing to wear a seat belt and $288 for travel in or on part of motor vehicle not designed for passengers.
That incident cost the pair a total of $3229.
Police also intercepted a vehicle at the Double Island Point Lagoon after witnessing the driver of a 4WD towing a person on a kiteboard behind the vehicle.
That driver was fined $619 for driving without due care and attention/careless driving and $1161 for failing to wear a seat belt.
The person being towed in the water, was fined $154 for travel on outside of vehicle.
Sunshine Coast Highway Patrol officer in charge Senior Sergeant Shane Panoho said the road rules still apply when driving on the beach.
“If you wouldn’t drive on the Bruce Highway with a passenger sitting out on the door window, don’t do it while driving on the beach either,” Senior Sergeant Panoho said.
“We still have a couple weeks left of the school holidays so I urge people to keep these consequences in mind when planning to drive on the beach.
“I want everyone to have a happy easter break, enjoying our beautiful beaches on the Sunshine Coast, but I want it to be done safely, for the sake of yourself and others.
“We will continue with increased patrols across the roads and beaches.”
If you have information for police, contact Policelink by providing information using the online suspicious activity form 24hrs per day at www.police.qld.gov.au/reporting or call 131 444.
Report crime information anonymously via Crime Stoppers. Call 1800 333 000 or report online at www.crimestoppersqld.com.au.
