Police have caught up with scores of brazen drivers, during a school holidays blitz on the beach.
Patrols were ramped up at Noosa North Shore, Teewah Beach and the Cooloola Coast, as part of Operation Sandstorm, during the September two-week break.
Officers issued 119 Traffic Infringement Notices and conducted more than 1000 roadside breath tests during the first four days of the holidays, from September 16 to September 19.
Among those picked up by patrols was a 22-year-old McKenzie man, who was charged with mid-range drink driving on September 17, after he was intercepted at Teewah Beach.
He returned a Blood Alcohol Concentration of 0.123 per cent and was due to appear in Noosa Magistrates Court on September 27.
A 20-year-old Mermaid Beach man returned a positive Roadside Drug Test and was found to have drugs in his vehicle, at Cooloola.
He was charged with drug driving and possess dangerous drugs, and was due to appear in Noosa Magistrates Court on October 25.
Patrols issued 57 Traffic Infringement Notices to speeding motorists.
Queensland Police will be out in force this long weekend, targeting a range of driving related offences to ensure the ongoing safety of beach visitors.
Operation Sandstorm recent stats
- Speeding traffic infringement notices: 57.
- Defect traffic infringement notices: 45.
- Fail to wear seatbelt traffic infringement notices: 8.
- Random Breath Tests: 1092
Some of the infringements
- No seat belt – September 18. A 23-year-old man was issued with a TIN for passenger not wearing seatbelt, $1078.
- Speeding – September 18. A 28-year-old man was issued with a TIN for speeding, 68kph in a 50 zone, $431.
- Drink driving – September 17. A 22-year-old McKenzie man was charged with mid-range drink driving, after he returned a Blood Alcohol Concentration of 0.123 per cent.
- Drug driving – September 17. A 20-year-old Mermaid Beach man was charged with drug driving and possessing dangerous drugs.
- Defective vehicle – September 18. A 30-year-old man was issued with TINs for using a vehicle without a number plate attached, $115, and a defective vehicle that does not comply with vehicle standards, $143.
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.
Report crime information anonymously via Crime Stoppers. Call 1800 333 000 or report online at www.crimestoppersqld.com.au.
