Hundreds of motorists have been caught by police during a three-month operation on a stretch of the Bruce Highway, and the clampdown will continue with a new initiative during the school break.
North Coast Region Highway Patrol units and the Road Policing Task Force issued almost 700 traffic infringement notices through Operation Whiskey Annex, which finished on Thursday.
The campaign included frequent patrols of the highway between Murrumba Downs and Gin Gin, including the Sunshine Coast.
A total of 696 infringement notices were issued, and police detected six high-speed offences, seven people driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, and 18 unlicensed drivers.
Police are continuing their crackdown with Operation Cold Snap, which started on Saturday, to coincide with the winter school holidays.
The two-week road safety blitz is designed to ensure road users get to their destination safely.
Highway patrols will implement a high visibility strategy, involving roadside breath testing, stationary observation, and overt and covert patrols along highways and major road corridors across the Sunshine Coast.
North Coast Region assistant commissioner Glenn Morris expected more vehicles on the highway during the break and he urged drivers to take care.
“This operation has been created to address the specific challenges that come with a significant increase in traffic volumes across the entire road network during the school holidays,” he said.
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“If you’re off on a road trip, or traveling any distance, over the next couple weeks, please be extra vigilant on the roads.
“To ensure safer roads, we will continue to focus our efforts on proven causes to vehicle crashes including speed, impaired driving, fatigue, seat belt use, driver distraction and vehicle safety standards.
“Sadly, as of June 20, there has been 133 lives lost on roads across the state (this year), with three of those being on the Sunshine Coast.
“Each one of these lives lost is a tragedy.
“The highway patrol, and all officers that support the work they do, are committed to strengthening road safety and preventing any increase in that number.”
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