Police are taking their campaign against the ‘Fatal Five’ to the beaches during the September school holidays.
Highway patrol units from the Sunshine Coast and Gympie have been deployed to the Great Sandy National Park to target speeding, drink and drug driving, not wearing seatbelts, fatigue and distraction.
Motorists can expect to see police patrolling Rainbow Beach, Teewah and surrounds to set the tone for expected driving behaviours on the sand.
Further south, Moreton North Highway Patrol will focus on beach drivers on Bribie Island.
North Coast Region Assistant Commissioner Kevin Guteridge said police would take a zero-tolerance approach to reckless behaviour on beaches.
“Once drivers hit the sand, unfortunately we can see a lapse in responsibility and respect for the road rules,” he said.
“The offences we tend to see on the beach are drink or drug driving, speeding, not wearing seatbelts and dangerous driving. Tragically, we’ve seen these actions result in serious injury or death.
“Please take into consideration your environment, the unpredictable terrain, tide times, the condition of your vehicle and, most importantly, the campers and beach-goers around you.”
The same road rules apply whether a vehicle is being driven on the bitumen, a dirt road or the sand.
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“We’re expecting high traffic volume across the next two weeks as people travel through our region for the school break, so police will be out in force to strengthen road safety,” Assistant Commissioner Guteridge said.
“Please don’t be the reason police have to take enforcement action or, far worse, investigate a traffic crash tragedy.
“Road safety is your responsibility. Be responsible for yourself, your passengers and other road users.
“Please drive with heightened caution these holidays. Plan your journey, take breaks if on long drives, wear your seatbelt, pay attention to your environment and never drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
“Our goal is to help everyone have a safe and happy holiday, without any road trauma.”
Police will also be conducting roadside drug and breath testing, and proactive high-visibility and covert patrols across the region.
