More than 400 people have been booked on a popular beach so far these school holidays, prompting a reminder from police to obey the road rules even on the sand.
Teewah Beach in the Cooloola Recreation Area, which also includes Double Island Point, is a busy destination over the holidays, with figures from the Department of Environment and Science showing a total of 15,391 visitors from December 14 to January 8.
The beach has attracted ‘a high proportion of high-risk offending’ and has been a focal point for police blitzes in recent years.
The warning from police comes after footage emerged on social media of a vehicle, towing a jet ski, passing on the left of multiple other vehicles along Teewah Beach before appearing to get bogged at the entrance to the Leisha Track.
Sunshine Coast Highway Patrol officer in charge Senior Sergeant David Nelson said it was great to see so many families enjoying the beach, but it was a timely reminder that all beaches and day-use areas are busy places.
“Road safety is everyone’s responsibility and I would like to thank the members of the public who assisted with providing information on this incident,” Senior Sergeant Nelson said.
He reminded motorists that the same road rules apply when driving on a beach or in national parks as they do when driving on any street in Queensland.
“Don’t put your life, or the lives of others, at risk – drive safely and responsibly, especially when you’re on our beaches,” he said.
Of the 437 tickets issued so far these holidays in Teewah Village and around Double Island, 105 infringement notices were for speeding, while 189 related to defective vehicles.
Police also conducted about 750 random breath tests and 150 random drug tests between Saturday, December 28, and Wednesday, January 1.
One person was charged with drink-driving and 12 drivers returned positive results to the drugs tests.
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Figures from the DES show 5908 camping permits and 5678 vehicle permits were issued from December 14 to January 8 for the 35 camping areas in the Cooloola/Inskip area, which is part of the Great Sandy National Park.
The footage of the vehicle was posted to a social media community board on December 29 and attracted more than 1300 reactions and 250 comments.
“He would have been better to follow everyone else. Oh well, in a rush so you zoomed past everyone else,” one post read.
“If he had have stayed on the firm stuff and picked a well-defined track he might have done okay. But he started in the soft stuff then drove across the existing tracks, by the time he had turned to go up the cutting he had bled off all his speed and momentum and got bogged. Maybe he will learn for next time,” said another.
A spokesperson said Noosa Council – which is responsible for the southern part of Teewah Beach – was very supportive of traffic controls and ongoing police patrols in the area.
Director of infrastructure services Shaun Walsh said the council introduced a 40kmh speed limit in 2023 on the beach in front of Teewah Village to ensure improved beach safety for residents and visitors.
Senior Sergeant Nelson urged visitors to consider the following tips for safe sand driving:
- Slow down around parked vehicles: children can run out unexpectedly.
- Be aware of hazards, exposed rocks, weed banks and large holes left behind by keen sandcastle builders; they can trick even the most experienced drivers.
- It is illegal to travel outside the vehicle. This includes hanging out of windows or riding in tray backs.
- Everyone in the vehicle must wear a seatbelt when the car is moving.
- Never drive too fast, tired or hungover.
More information on safe sand driving is available online.
