Brisbane police have ramped up road safety operations across local roads as part of Queensland Road Safety Week (QRSW).
QRSW runs from Monday, 17 August to Friday, 21 August, with local police continuing their crackdown on dangerous driving behaviours which include speeding, driving under the influence, fatigue, not wearing a seatbelt, and mobile phone usage.
In preparation for the week, local officers conducted large-scale co-ordinated patrols and random breath test (RBT) sites across the city over the weekend.
Around 8pm on 15 August, a 26-year-old Collingwood Park woman is alleged to have been driving a car with two children who were not safely restrained in their seats.
Officers identified the offence when the woman was pulled over at a RBT site on Progress Road in Wacol.
The woman received a traffic infringement notice for drive motor vehicle while passenger at least 4 years old but under 7 years old unrestrained ($1,295 fine and loss of four demerit points).
At 2.30am on 15 August, a 42-year-old woman allegedly returned a positive RBT result at an RBT site on Compton Road in Karawatha.
It is further alleged a Blood Alcohol Content test returned a reading of 0.094.
The woman was issued with a 24-hour driving suspension and was charged with one count of did drive over general alcohol limit but not over middle alcohol limit.
She is expected to appear before Richlands Magistrates Court on 31 August.
The weekend operations resulted in 497 RBTs being conducted in north Brisbane with 8 drink drivers being detected. Three people were charged on seven offences, and five traffic infringement notices (TINs) were issued.
In Brisbane’s south 717 RBTs and 64 random drug tests were conducted, resulting in seven drink drivers and one drug driver being detected. 17 people were arrested on 25 offences, and 15 TINs were issued.
Motorists are warned to continue expecting a strong police presence on local roads.
As of today, 18 August, 18 lives have been lost on Brisbane Roads since 1 January, compared to 26 lives at the same time last year.
The clear message from police is that every choice you make behind the wheel could save, change or take a life.
The co-ordinated police response for QRSW is in addition to the daily patrols and road safety enforcement actions officers conduct on Brisbane roads.
South Brisbane District Acting Superintendent Jon Kent said throughout the week, coordinated static and mobile enforcement activities are planned across the city to target dangerous driving behaviours.
“Fatal and serious traffic crashes have a devastating impact on so many people including families, friends, and the community in general,” Acting Superintendent Kent said.
“First responders witness and respond to the horrific consequences of these types of incidents every day.
“If you are attending an event, driving long distances, or simply heading to the shops you have a responsibility and a duty of care every time you get behind the wheel.
“Always drive to the conditions and plan ahead because every life lost on our roads is one too many.”
North Brisbane District Acting Superintendent Matthew Blunn said along with more patrols, officers will also be attending community events to engage with locals about safe driving behaviours.
“Police will continue to enforce road rules anywhere, anytime because every life matters,” Acting Superintendent Blunn said.
“We see firsthand the life altering consequences that speeding, distracted and impaired driving, driving tired and not wearing a seatbelt have on people and their families.
“That is why police continue to target dangerous behaviours.
“Together, we can help make Queensland roads safer.”
Learn more about QRSW and safe driving behaviours at this week’s Coffee with a Cop events across the city:
- 7.30am – 9am Thursday 20 August at Zaraffa’s, 2121 Sandgate Road, Boondall, QLD, 4034
- 7.30am – 9am Friday 21 August at Whitehorse Ranch, 31-33 Ferguson Street, Albany Creek, QLD, 4025
The Queensland Police Service is committed to reducing the number of lives lost on our roads. However, enforcement alone cannot stop all dangerous driving behaviours.
Every choice you make behind the wheel, matters. 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.
Queenslanders can expect police – anywhere, anytime.
Road safety starts with you.
