Police across central Queensland have rolled out Operation Overtake, a 36-hour road safety campaign aiming to save lives and reduce road trauma by targeting offending behaviour on rural roadways.
During May, police targeted the Bruce Highway at Sarina and the Gregory Highway north of Emerald, deploying Highway Patrol officers from Capricornia and Mackay Whitsunday who were also joined by officers from Road Policing Task Force, Tactical Crime Squad and Stock and Rural Crime Squad.
Activity included random breath and drug testing, license checks and vehicle inspections.
The Operation served to increase education surrounding the fatal five and staying safe on the roads.
Police performed 7,164 roadside breath tests, with seven drivers charged with drink driving.
Officers detected 12 drug drivers after performing 445 roadside drug tests.
435 traffic infringement notices were issued and 24 unlicensed drivers were charged.
Seven people were charged with 18 drug offences, and 14 stock offences were identified.
Senior Sergeant Anthony Houston said Operation Overtake aims to encourage road users to be accountable for their driving behaviour.
“Regional and rural roadways are consistently overrepresented in fatal and serious injury motor vehicle crashes due to higher speeds, fatigue, distracted driver behaviour and longer journeys,” Senior Sergeant Houston said.
“55% of road crash deaths occur on regional roads, and the rate of road crash deaths is much higher in regional areas compared with cities.”
“Each person killed is more than just a number, leaving behind families and their loved ones who will be impacted forever.”
“This Operation serves to remind all motorists on our roads, you can expect to see police anywhere, anytime,” Senior Sergeant Houston said.