Wide Bay police are appealing for motorists to slow down and take appropriate precautions, with school zones back in operation from today, October 3.
217 people have lost their lives on Queensland roads this year, compared to 222 for the same time frame.
In the Wide Bay/Burnett, 33 people have lost their lives already this year, compared to 18 for the same time last year.
In the North Coast region (which includes Moreton, Sunshine Coast, and the Wide Bay/Burnett), 112 injury crashes were recorded throughout the duration of the September school holidays, with 120 people injured in those crashes.
Police have been conducting high-visibility patrols across the region during the holidays, as part of Operation Spring Break.
The two-week traffic campaign, commencing on September 16, targeted high-risk driving behaviour which traditionally sees a larger volume of traffic on our roads.
Over the past fortnight, 12,030 Roadside Breath Tests (RBTs) were conducted, where 144 drivers returned positive results.
In the same period, 480 drug tests were conducted, with 115 drivers returning positive results.
Meanwhile, 665 speeding offences were recorded, as well as 39 seat belt offences and 12 mobile phone offences, with 1,527 total infringements handed out in the region during Operation Spring Break.
Acting Superintendent Paul Algie said he was disappointed to see so many people caught doing the wrong thing.
"Many of the crashes over the were caused by speed, alcohol or inattention," Acting Superintendent Algie said.
"Every life lost is one too many, this weekend we have lost sons, wives, sisters and fathers and this tragedy affects so many families. Slow down, take care and be a courteous and safe driver."
The QPS will continue their campaign to keep our roads safe and enforce the road rules now that school has returned, with an aim to identify dangerous driver behaviours that put other road users at risk.
"School speed zones are back in operation and more children will be out and about for their last Semester of the year," Superintendent Algie said.
"Please slow down, abide by the 40km/h zones, and let's do everything we can to ensure no more lives are lost on our roads."
Fatal crashes in the North Coast region during September school holidays:
A 52-year-old male motorcyclist died in a two-vehicle crash at Toogoom, on September 30.
Two men, aged 37 and 39, died following a fatal single-vehicle traffic crash in Kalkie on October 1.
A 19-year-old man died when his car struck a tree in Imbil on October 1.
Audio from Acting Superintendent Paul Algie: https://r2.mypolice.qld.gov.au/uploads/2023/10/03/021640_operation-spring-break-wide-bay.wav
Video clips (in order):
- On September 16, police intercepted a 33-year-old Bundbamba man who was allegedly travelling at 150km/hr in a 100km zone while overtaking vehicles along the Bruce highway at Duckinwilla. QP2301546942
- On September 24, a 57-year-old Frenchville man was intercepted by police along the Bruce Highway at Tannum Sands after allegedly driving 140km/hr in 100k zone. QP2301593833
- On September 28, police were conducting RBTs along Bundaberg Gin Gin Road in Gin Gin when a 49-year-old Maroondan man allegedly returned a breath test of 0.204%. QP2301617521
If you have information for police, contact Policelink by providing information using the online suspicious activity form 24hrs per day at www.police.qld.gov.au/reporting or call 131 444.
Report crime information anonymously via Crime Stoppers. Call 1800 333 000 or report online at www.crimestoppersqld.com.au.
