Police are ramping up their presence at a popular 4WD and camping beach during the Australia Day long weekend.
A team from Sunshine Coast Highway Patrol, accompanied by the Road Policing Task Force, is being deployed to Noosa North Shore.
Patrols are focusing on illegally modified vehicles, anti-social behaviour (including hooning), drink driving, speeding and seatbelts.
It comes after more than 400 people were booked at Teewah Beach within just a few weeks.
Sunshine Coast Highway Patrol Officer in Charge Acting Senior Sergeant Nathan Richards said anyone planning to drive on the beach should educate themselves on the rules.
“This is your reminder that Teewah Beach and the camp zones are all 40km/h speed limit, which will be enforced with zero tolerance,” he said.
“You must treat driving on the beach as you would any other road: the same road rules apply regardless of if it’s on the bitumen or the sand.
“This is for everyone’s safety as driving on the beach can be unpredictable with hazards including changing conditions and terrain, and pedestrians, including young children.”
Police are also out in force on local roads.
“We will also have increased patrols across the rest of the Sunshine Coast district and many RBT sites at random locations, focusing on the Fatal Five behaviours including speeding, drink and drug driving, not wearing seatbelts, fatigue and distraction,” he said.
Sunshine Coast District Officer Superintendent Craig Hawkins said the community can expect to see police at multiple locations.
“We have bolstered our high-visibility policing presence over the weekend with a focus on road safety and alcohol fuelled violence,” he said.
“Police will be situated across the Sunshine Coast, including at public events, to prevent and target antisocial behaviour, public order offences and drink driving.
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“Though I’m expecting a relaxed weekend for all, I’m confident we are well-prepared to handle any situation that may arise.”
With an uptick in traffic on the waterways, water police will also have an increased presence to ensure safety and compliance.
