While SAPOL’s Operation Safe Holidays has come to an end however, police will maintain their road safety efforts to ensure motorists continue to do the right thing and not put themselves or others at risk.
From 18 December 2021 to 3 January 2022, police undertook a state-wide focus on the fatal 5 offences – speed, drink and drug driving, distraction, seatbelts and dangerous driving, all of which contribute to lives lost on our roads. Of concern, almost 1,600 drivers were detected speeding and issued with an expiation notice.
Police conducted just over 12,000 alcotests with 184 drivers returning a positive result and just over 1,300 drug tests with 179 drivers testing positive to illicit drugs.
In addition to those motorists who made the erroneous choice of speeding or drink/drug driving, police detected 79 drivers/passengers who decided not to wear their seatbelts and issued with an expiation notice.
Almost 500 motorists were caught driving while disqualified or unlicenced and just over 400 were detected driving an unregistered and/or uninsured vehicle. Police also impounded 210 motor vehicles and issued 90 drivers with an immediate loss of licence.
Superintendent Bob Gray, Officer in Charge of the Traffic Services Branch says these results are alarming and totally unacceptable. “Sadly, five families lost loved ones during the holiday period with three drivers and two pedestrians having lost their lives on our country roads. There is a responsibility on every road user to do the right thing and while most do, unfortunately some motorists continue to make poor decisions behind the wheel. I implore every road user to work with us and make responsible and safe choices – the unnecessary loss of life on our roads needs to stop.”
