Top cop blasts ‘absolute stupidity’ as six die over Easter long weekend

A Queensland cop has slammed the “senseless waste” and thousands of speeding drivers after a horror weekend on the state’s roads.

Queensland Police have blasted the “absolute stupidity” shown by some of the state’s drivers over the Easter long weekend.

More than 4000 fines were issued by police over the four day weekend and six people tragically lost their lives in car crashes. A further 135 were injured on the road.

Acting Assistant Commissioner Ray Rohweder told reporters today there were too many instances of people driving dangerously over the wet Easter long weekend.

“One driver was 75 kilometres an hour over (the speed limit) yesterday morning at Daisy Hill,” he said.

“That is just absolute stupidity.”

Detective Superintendent Ray Rohweder. Picture: Marc McCormack

Speeding accounted for around half of the total number of infringements issued, with 2409 speeding drivers detected.

A total of 219 drug drivers and 228 drink drivers were identified.

There was a total of 4742 offences detected by police over the long weekend with 113 people fined for not wearing a seatbelt and 48 fined for using their mobile phone while driving.

Mr Rohweder said the massive number of fines was disappointing.

“Motorists need to understand making good decisions on our roads, counts,” he said.

“Your decisions have a direct consequence on your life and those around you. Police are out on our roads detecting offences.

“People can expect police to be anywhere at any time.”

Mr Rohweder said another driver was caught doing 130km/h in a 70km/h zone on the Pacific Motorway — in the middle of torrential rain.

And in footage supplied by Queensland Police, two young men were caught hanging out the window of a car over the weekend.

People seen hanging out of their car window. Picture: Queensland Police

Mr Rohweder said it was time for drivers to slow down and think about their loved ones.

“This year we have lost at least two more lives than those corresponding periods (in 2018 and 2019),” he said.

The 2020 statistics were not included due to the downturn related to the coronavirus pandemic.

“I really, really want to get a message across that all these deaths were preventable. It’s about driver behaviour,” he added.

“It’s a senseless waste of a person’s future and families are damaged forever.

“You can’t bring back a loved one.”

Tributes for ‘angel’ killed in horror ute incident

One of the people tragically killed over the weekend was beloved Queensland woman Grace Ruhle.

The 23-year-old was in the tray of a friend’s ute when she was allegedly accidentally thrown from the vehicle as it travelled through regional Queensland.

Ms Ruhle tragically suffered fatal injuries after she fell from the vehicle on Friday night as it travelled down Springvale Rd, west of Toowoomba.

Friends and family took to social media over the weekend to pay tribute to the “unique” and bright woman.

“Gracie girl, your unique spark will be remembered by all who were lucky enough to know you,” one friend wrote on Facebook.

“Forever in our hearts Gracie, such a blessing to have you in my life. Fly high beautiful,” another wrote.

“You’re cherished by countless and will be missed by so many … I love you Gracie,” a third added.

Grace Ruhle died in the crash. Picture: Facebook

Another described the 23-year-old as “one in a million”, saying she would be “forever missed”.

Queensland Police charged a 19-year-old man, who was allegedly driving the ute at the time of the incident, on Saturday morning.

The Cooroy man was charged with fail to provide a specimen of breath for analysis and drive with a person in part of vehicle designed for carriage of goods.

The Forensic Crash Unit is continuing its investigation and any witnesses are urged to come forward.

The man will face Dalby Magistrates Court on May 4.

Originally published as Top cop blasts ‘absolute stupidity’ as six die over Easter long weekend