More than 1,600 random breath and drug tests have been conducted with more than 270 traffic infringement notices (TINs) issued during Operation Whiskey Afrino over the weekend in Hervey Bay.
The operation was established for May in the Bay – a car enthusiast event in Hervey Bay from May 2-6.
Highway Patrol Maryborough led the operation alongside Highway Patrol officers from Rockhampton, Calliope, Bundaberg, Gympie, Sunshine Coast and Moreton South, who were deployed to the district to assist.
Local Hervey Bay police officers and the Maryborough Tactical Crime Squad also assisted for parts of the event.
Operation Whiskey Afrino was focused on keeping the community safe, supporting the rights and enjoyment of all community members and visitors to Hervey Bay and to prevent and disrupt any planned offending during the event.
Police were generally pleased with the behaviour of the crowd and drivers, however many were intercepted by police for a range of issues including unlicensed driving, not wearing a seatbelt and not wearing a motorbike helmet.
Of 164 random drug tests conducted, 32 people were issued with Notices to Appear (NTA) for drug driving and of the 1525 random breath tests conducted, four people were issued with NTA for drink driving.
74 TINs were also issued for speeding, two relating to high range speeding (152km/h in 100km/h zone and 148km/h in 100km/h zone) and a further two TINS issued for wilfully making unnecessary noise or smoke.
Maryborough Patrol Group Acting Inspector Shelley Moore said this comes as a timely reminder during ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Road Safety Week (May 5-12).
“As demonstrated through the enforcement action across the weekend, police take road safety very seriously, as we’ve seen firsthand the impact it has,” A/Inspector Moore said.
“11 people have already lost their lives on roads in the Wide Bay Burnett District so far this year and that’s 11 too many.
“By making poor decisions when getting behind the wheel, you are not only putting yourself at risk of death or serious injury, but your passengers, other road users and pedestrians.
“Travelling at just 5km/h over the speed limit in a 60km/h zone means you are twice as likely to have a serious crash. Push that up to 10km/h and you are four times as likely to have a serious crash.
“Speeding doesn’t mean you will get to your destination faster; it means you are more likely not to get there at all.
“With the conclusion of Operation Whiskey Afrino and during ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Road Safety Week, we’re reminding all drivers to slow down, drive safety and remember the Fatal Five.”
Clip two: 26-year-old Craignish man was issued a TIN for wilfully start or drive vehicle in a way that makes unnecessary noise or smoke.
Clip three: A 29-year-old Urangan man was issued two TINs for wilfully making unnecessary noise or smoke and drive/park or permit drive/park defective vehicle that does not comply with vehicle standards. The car’s number plates were also confiscated for 90 days.
He was also issued a 24-hour drivers licence suspension notice and a Notice to Appear after returning a positive drug test.
