Police have clamped down on drivers along a popular beach strip north of the Sunshine Coast, handing out scores of fines in the space of a week.
Operation Sandstorm saw more than 200 traffic infringement notices (TINs) issued across seven days at Noosa North Shore, Teewah and the Cooloola Recreation Area last month.
Ninety-two of those TINs were for speeding and 13 for not wearing a seatbelt. Almost 470 RBTs were also conducted.
It followed a similar blitz on beaches last year, when police issued about 270 fines in eight days.
Senior Sergeant Shane Panoho from Sunshine Coast Highway Patrol said drivers always should be mindful of the fatal five – speeding, drink driving, driving distracted, not wearing seatbelts and fatigue.
“Drive to the conditions and ensure you are doing everything you can to ensure you get home safely,” he said.
Police are also set to be on the roads in coming weeks, as the new school year starts across Queensland and 40km/h school speed zones enforced.
Police issued more than 14,000 infringement notices to motorists detected speeding within school zones in Queensland last year.
Snr Sgt Panoho said e-bikes and e-scooters will also be a major focus for Sunshine Coast police.
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“We have a whole cohort of young ones starting school for the first time, it’s an amazing time in their lives and their parents as well. Make sensible, safe decisions,” he said.
“If you have a compliant e-device and you are riding it appropriately, you have nothing to fear. But if you are riding one of these electric motorcycles, and that’s what they are, you can expect to be stopped. You can expect to be fined and you can expect your device to possibly be seized.”
Meanwhile, police were out in force, on the roads and on the water, for the Australia Day long weekend.
Surf life savers were also on the beach in numbers, patrolling the waters for a busy few days.
