- Operation Cold Snap, promotes safer driving throughout the winter school holidays and will run Saturday, June 22, to Sunday, July 7.
- Police will have an increased presence on Queensland Road networks throughout this time.
- A high-visibility approach will be adopted, including overt and covert patrols, road-side breath testing (RBT) and speed detection equipment.
Motorists should expect to see police anywhere, anytime these winter school holidays as the Queensland Police Service (QPS) has unveiled its plans to target unsafe driving these June/July school holidays, with the launch of state-wide road safety initiative; Operation Cold Snap.
Officially commencing at midnight tonight and running through to Sunday, July 7, Police will have an increased presence on Queensland roads to disrupt prevent dangerous driving behaviours.
To ensure motorists are adopting safer driving practices, the road safety blitz will include both visible and covert patrols, static roadside testing and an ongoing zero-tolerance policy.
Operation Cold Snap seeks to draw attention to the risks associated with speeding, fatigue, seatbelt use, driver distraction, driving while impaired and vehicle safety standards.
As of June 18, 132 people have tragically lost their lives on Queensland roads this year alone, with many of these fatalities the result of speeding or dangerous driving.
The winter school holidays are a traditionally busy period on Queensland roads, with many families and holiday makers expected to travel to and from holiday destinations and it is with this in mind the QPS urges all motorists to take extra care to ensure everyone arrives at their destination safely.
Motorcyclists will also be targeted, with this year's motorcycle fatalities having reached 36 (as of June 18), a marked 19.2 per cent increase when compared to the previous five-year average number of lives lost between 2019 and 2023.
As stated by Minister Mark Ryan:
"Road safety is everyone's responsibility," he said.
"We are continuing to see too many people make poor decisions behind the wheel, which can lead to tragic consequences.
"Operation Cold Snap is an essential initiative which aims to make our roads safer, so everyone can arrive at their destination safely."
As stated by Mackay MP Julieanne Gilbert:
"I want everyone in my community to stay safe during the holidays.
"We have lost far too many people on the roads this year.
"The best holiday gift we can extend to each other is to make good decisions on the roads, and treat other road users courteously to ensure everyone stays safe."
As stated by Superintendent Graeme Paine
"Road safety is a priority for the Queensland Police Service," he said.
"We have already lost too many lives this year and we are committed to ensuring road safety is at the forefront of everyone's minds, particularly during busy periods such as school holidays.
"We must work together to make our roads safer, so motorists doing the wrong thing should expect to see police anywhere, anytime."
Fast fact:
- Operation Cold Snap will run from Saturday, June 22, to Sunday July 7
