Drug driving, speeds of 163 km/h: Wide Bay Burnett police crack down on dangerous driving

More than 1200 traffic infringement notices were issued over a month in the Wide Bay Burnett region as part of police crackdown, with a shocking number of alleged drug drivers.

A police operation targeting dangerous driving across the Wide Bay Burnett has revealed more people are driving with drugs in their system than alcohol.

More than 1200 traffic infringement notices were issued by officers from the road police taskforce in the month-long operation, with more than 7000 roadside breath tests conducted.

Between January 31 and February 25, 13 motorists were charged with drink-driving offences, however, shockingly almost three times that number returned positive roadside drug tests with 37 drivers charged.

In all, police issued 851 traffic infringement notices for speeding, including seven for driving more than 40 km/h over the speed limit, with one vehicle found to have defects.

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“In one case, a motorbike rider was allegedly detected travelling at 163km/h in a 100km/h zone, upon inspection the motorcycle was also found to have defects,” a police spokesman said.

“A 22-year-old Urangan man was issued a traffic infringement notice for high-end speeding.”

Further traffic infringements notices were issued to seven people for using their mobile phone while driving, 16 allegedly failed to wear a seatbelt and 10 for driving without a licence.

Acting Inspector Gareth Bosley detailed some of the alarming behaviour witnessed by police during the operation.

Footage shared by Queensland Police depict cars going more than 20km/h above the speed limit during overtaking attempts.

“In two instances police cars were forced off the road by other vehicles overtaking illegally,” he said.

“Unfortunately, in all too many instances, this is how lives are lost.”

“Also of concern was that in several instances, unmarked police cars were overtaken by other drivers travelling at high speed.”

Footage depicts the moment a police car is forced to pull off the road to avoid a head on collision with a young driver attempting to overtake a truck.

Inspector Bosley said the efforts of police had reduced the number of lives lost on Wide Bay Burnett roads compared to the same period in 2023.

“The operational results prove these strategies are effective in disrupting dangerous behaviour on our roads and police will continue to target these irresponsible behaviours for everybody’s safety,” he said.

“There was a 40 per cent reduction in total crashes in the last month during the conduct of this operation.

“One life lost is too many and while people continue to drive irresponsibly, placing others, their passengers and themselves at risk of death or serious injury, police will continue to deliver targeted operations to keep reducing road trauma.”