Speeding drivers busted during traffic operation as Wide Bay road toll rises

More than a dozen drivers have been busted speeding on the Wide Bay Burnett’s roads as police crack down on dangerous driving amid concerns over a rising road toll.

More than a dozen drivers have been busted speeding on the Wide Bay Burnett’s roads as police crack down on dangerous driving amid concerns over a rising road toll.

The three-day operation by Maryborough police, from June 20 to 22, covered around 850km of road, focusing on the western corridor of the district, including the Bruce Highway between Howard and Childers, the Isis Highway between Childers and Ban Ban Springs, the Burnett Highway between Ban Ban Springs and Mulgildie, and townships including Biggenden, Gayndah, Mundubbera, Eidsvold, and Mulgildie.

Police said in a statement Thursday 19 fines were issued including 15 for speeding, two for driving unregistered vehicles, and one for failing to display P-plates.

Of the speeding offences detected, one fine was issued to a 30-year-old Dirnbir man for driving a Toyota Hilux allegedly at 125km/h in a 100km/p zone on the Burnett Highway in Gayndah on June 22.

The man was issued a ticket for exceed speed limit in speed zone by more than 20km/h but not more than 30km/h, costing $725 and four demerit points.

Police said 155 roadside breath tests were carried out in the blitz with no positive results, while 27 roadside drug tests turned up one positive result.

More than a dozen drivers have been busted speeding on the Wide Bay Burnett’s roads as police crack down on dangerous driving amid concerns over a rising road toll.

In this case officers intercepted a red Holden Commodore on the Burnett Highway in Mundubbera on June 21, they said in the statement.

The roadside test allegedly returned a positive result for marijuana and the driver, a 22-year-old Old Cooranga man, was issued a 24-hour drivers licence suspension notice and ordered to appear in Gayndah Magistrates Court on September 12.

Officer in Charge Maryborough Highway Patrol Sergeant Josh Churchward said serious road trauma continued to be a significant safety issue for all road users, so it was essential to continue enforcement, education, and targeting dangerous driving behaviour.

“Sadly, the Wide Bay Burnett District has suffered a tragic loss of life across our inland highways and western roads this year,” Sgt Churchward said.

“These fatal crashes have involved a variety of vehicle types including cars, four-wheel drives, trucks and motorcycles.

“The Fatal Five factors – speeding, mobile phone distraction, drink or drug driving, fatigue and not wearing a seatbelt – continue to be present in many preventable crashes that have a long-lasting and heavy impact across our rural communities and smaller townships.

“Longer travel times at higher speeds and over greater distances all combined with fatigue as well as two-way roads and highways can increase the risk of collision in rural areas.

“Police are urging residents and visitors to drive to the speed limit at all times, ensure they are well rested before getting behind the wheel, always wear their seat belt properly, avoid mobile phone use and other distractions, and never, ever drive after consuming drugs or excessive alcohol.

“Particularly as we head into the school holidays, I urge you to pay extra attention to your road safety.

“We see a significant increase in traffic volumes across the road network during the school holidays.”