FACING COURT: Dalby police bust drug, drink drivers

EVEN with road fatalities in Queensland increasing to 185 last week, Dalby police believe drivers are still putting lives at risk when they drive under the influence.

GOING TO COURT: Dalby police have been busy over the past week apprehending several drug drivers. Picture: File

DALBY’S acting officer in charge sergeant Tony Logue says people still aren’t getting the message when it comes to drug and drink driving in the Western Downs.

Eight drink or drug drivers were caught in the last seven days, with Sgt Logue saying drivers are rolling the dice when they drive while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

“If you’re going to drink or drug drive, you’re going to get caught, simple as that,” he said.

“People just aren’t getting the message the moment, and I suggest they start realising that we’ll always be out there to prevent tragedies from happening.”

From September 16–19, eight drivers were stung by the Dalby Road Policing unit for either drug and drink driving offences, with four testing positive roadside to a relevant drug on September 17.

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The most recent was an 18-year-old man busted along the Warrego Hwy, at MacAlister, on September 19, with drugs in his system while driving to Charleville.

The Centre for Accident Research and Road Safety Queensland stated drug driving was a contributing factor in up to 41 per cent of road fatalities in Australia.

Their research suggested drug use increased the risk of crash involvement, with the risk estimated to be the same as a driver with a blood-alcohol level of up to 0.15 per cent.

Statistics from the Department of Transport and Main Roads indicated 185 people have lost their lives on Queensland’s roads this year.

The South Burnett was hit by tragedy just last week, with a 72-year-old woman tragically losing her life in Nanango following a horror roll over.

All drivers were given notices to appear in Dalby Magistrates Court at a later date.

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