Nebo man charged after Hail Creek cattle truck crash forces five cows to be euthanised

A truck driver charged over a crash that meant cows had to be destroyed is the latest in an alarming number of motorists allegedly impaired behind the wheel. See the road stats for 2021.

Chaos unfolded in Hail Creek after an alleged drug-driver of a road train rolled a truck with 102 cattle on-board.

A police spokesman said the driver, a 56-year-old Nebo man, did not sustain any injuries but five of the cattle had to be destroyed.

Emergency services rushed to the scene on Turrawulla Rd near Hail Creek about 10am Thursday where the cattle had to be removed from the road train.

The driver was charged with drug-driving, possession of a drug utensil and driving without due care and attention.

Emergency services rushed to the scene on Turrawulla Rd near Hail Creek about 10am Thursday where the cattle had to be removed from the road train.

The 56 year old is scheduled to appear in Mackay Magistrates Court in March.

It comes as police warn traffic operations will continue after 136 drink-drivers were detected throughout December.

In 2021, police nabbed 1825 Mackay residents drink-driving with 176 people charged with dangerous operation of a motor vehicle.

There were 385 people caught driving disqualified with a total of 2387 drivers charged with general traffic and related offences.

During Mackay District Police’s December road safety campaign Tango Mistletoe, more than 10,000 roadside breath tests were conducted.

There were 37 people injured in road crashes in December 2021.

The operation recorded 250 drivers speeding, a significant drop from the 350 recorded in the same period in 2020.

There were 37 people injured in road crashes which was similarly fewer than the year before.

Senior Sergeant Damien Wells said although the figures on driver behaviour were encouraging, police would not be relaxing their efforts to reduce road trauma.

“In 2022, the public will see a continued focus on high visibility mobile patrols where all driving behaviour will be monitored,” Sergeant Wells said.

“Focus will always be on the Fatal Five — speeding, drink and drug driving, seatbelts, driving fatigued and distractions.”