As Queenslanders wind down from the summer holidays and roll back into the classroom, motorists are urged to heed the school zone speed limits, after Queensland Police Service (QPS) officers spent more than 62,000 hours conducting high visibility road safety activities over the break.
Throughout Operation Mistletoe, police surged additional resourcing such as covert motorbikes to target dangerous driving behaviours such as speeding.
Speeding made up over 50 per cent of the infringements issued during the holiday period, with over 17,300 speed related offences recorded.
QPS Road Policing and Regional Support Command Acting Assistant Commissioner Janelle Andrews said speeding is a serious concern as school goes back.
"The amount of speed related offences we've seen over the holidays is truly disturbing," Assistant Commissioner Andrews said.
"Speeding is a significant dangerous driving behaviour, which has the power to take peoples' lives.
"Please, especially as 40km/h zones are now active with the return to school drive to the conditions and always obey the speed limits"
"We want to ensure children get to and from home safely and that everyone can return to their loved ones."
During Operation Mistletoe, police also conducted over 201,000 roadside breath tests (RBT), charging 2,444 drivers with drink driving, and conducted over 6,600 roadside drug tests (RDT), charging 1,320 with drug driving offences.
Acting Chief Superintendent Garrath Channells said police have been dedicated to increasing roadside testing.
"Last year, 303 people lost their lives on Queensland roads, and I extend my condolences to those who are beginning this year without their loved ones," Acting Chief Superintendent Channells said.
"Throughout Operation Mistletoe, police conducted an increased amount of roadside drug testing and breath testing, up approximately 17% (RDT) & 5% (RBT) on last year's statistics."
"With children returning to schools across the state we want to make sure our roads, especially around schools are a safe environment for children and that motorists are adhering to school zone speed restrictions and most importantly driving to the conditions."
"While the operation ends at midnight on Saturday 31 January 2025, our work has not, Queensland Police will be patrolling school zones across the state, targeting speeding, distracted driving, and unsafe parking. These measures are all about ensuring a safe environment for our children," Acting Chief Superintendent Channells said.
Police want to remind parents, caregivers and everyone driving in school zones to slow down, stay alert and drive with patience and courtesy. Parking unlawfully, blocking intersections and driveways along with not adhering to speed.
Together, we can make the roads safer for all.
"Police will continue to be on patrol, and you can expect to see them anywhere, anytime."
The Queensland Police Service is committed to reducing the number of lives lost on our roads.
Data shows that serious crashes can be significantly reduced when drivers recognise and avoid the 'Fatal Five' behaviours: speeding, drink and drug driving, not wearing seatbelts, fatigue and distraction.
Road safety is everyone's responsibility. Learn more about staying safe on Queensland roads: https://www.police.qld.gov.au/initiatives/fatal-five-staying-safe-roads
