Central Queensland police have targeted bad driving behaviour on rural roadways in bid to save lives and reduce road trauma across Mackay, Whitsunday and Capricornia.
So far across the two districts five lives have been lost in traffic crashes in 2023 – three in Mackay and two in Capricornia, which is significantly fewer than the 15 and 12 lives respectively lost in both regions in 2022 during the same time frame.
Mostly recently truckie and father of four Mark Turner died days after a horror crash on the Peak Downs Highway near Greenmount on May 25.
While a man in his 50s tragically died after 16 days fighting for his life following a crash on the Dawson Highway on May 1 near Calliope.
Mark Turner passed on May 27, two days after a tragic fatal truck accident on the Peak Downs Highway at Greenmount. Photo: Contributed
Operation Overtake was a 36-hour road safety campaign in May which included random breath and drug testing, license checks and vehicle inspections.
Police targeted the Bruce Highway at Sarina and the Gregory Highway north of Emerald.
RACQ Capricorn Rescue shared this photo from the Calliope two-vehicle crash on May 1.
Highway patrol officers from Capricornia and Mackay Whitsunday were joined by the Road Policing Task Force, Tactical Crime Squad and Stock and Rural Crime Squad.
The Operation served to increase education surrounding the fatal five and staying safe on the roads.
Police performed 7164 roadside breath tests, with seven drivers charged with drink driving.
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.
Officers detected 12 drug drivers after performing 445 roadside drug tests as well as issuing 435 traffic infringement notices and charging 24 unlicensed drivers.
Seven people were charged with 18 drug offences, and 14 stock offences were identified.
Senior Sergeant Anthony Houston said Operation Overtake aimed 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.
He added that 55 per cent of road crash deaths occurred on regional roads.
Emergency crews on scene at a serious truck crash at Greenmount. Picture: Heidi Petith
In 2022 in the Mackay district there were 22 deaths from 20 fatal crashes and of that half allegedly involved alcohol and drugs.
The total number of lives lost for the Central Region, which includes both Mackay and Capricornia, in 2022 was 52.
“The rate of road crash deaths is much higher in regional areas compared with cities,” Senior Sergeant Houston said.
“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.”