Minister for Police and Minister for Corrective Services the Honourable Mark Ryan MP today joined A/Inspector Ian Crang to launch the state-wide road safety campaign Operation Spring Break, coinciding with the start of the school holiday period.
From today until Friday October 9, the Queensland Police Service (QPS) will coordinate the state-wide road safety operation with the aim of stopping lives lost and serious traffic crashes and improving road safety over the busy school holiday period and into the first week of returning to school.
A/Inspector Crang said with people out taking advantage of exploring the state it was important they travelled safely.
“We are in a unique situation where families will be taking advantage of being able to travel further away from home for the school holidays and we expect traffic to increase significantly on our road network,” A/Inspector Crang said.
“There will be a highly visible police presence on our roads, as well as roadside drug and alcohol testing and speed camera operations with a focus on those areas where we expect to see an increase in road users.
“As Queenslanders and their families head out there on the roads, we are encouraging everyone to make safe choices as we know this is how we can stop serious injuries and lives lost on our roads – don’t drive if you are tired, watch your speed, drive to the conditions and avoid distraction.”
A/Inspector Crang said lives lost on Queensland roads now totalled 183 which was 30 more than this time last year.
“This is not just a number, every death on our roads has many far-reaching impacts from the victims, to their families and our officers who are often first on scene,” he said.
“Make sure you enjoy the holidays, but it begins and ends with road safety.”
