Capricornia police crack down on dangerous driving during Operation Whiskey Spring Break

A teen motorist allegedly clocked driving 164km/h was one of 576 drivers fined in a Central Queensland road blitz to target dangerous driving. VIDEO, PIC

A learner driver has been stripped of his licence and fined more than $3500 after he was allegedly clocked driving 164km/h in a 100km/h zone on a Central Queensland highway without an adult.

The teen was one of 576 motorists issued fines for speeding when police were out in force across the Capricornia district as part of Operation Whiskey Spring Break between September 14 to October 4 over the school holiday period.

Police allegedly clocked the Biloela teen driving at 164km/h in a 100km/h zone along the Dawson Highway travelling from Banana towards Biloela on October 3.

They allege the 17-year-old also had a mobile phone on his lap and was unaccompanied as a learner driver.

The teenage boy was issued with a traffic infringement notice (TIN) for failing to display legible L plates ($258), learner driving motor vehicle not under direction of authorised supervisor ($258), using handheld mobile phone ($1,209) and exceeding 100km/h (default speed limit) by more than 40km/h (Type 2) ($1,854), worth $3,579 in total, 18 demerit points and a six month licence suspension.

A 33-year-old Bahrs Scrub man was issued an infringement of $1,854 and 8 demerit points after he was intercepted allegedly travelling at 151km/h in a 100 km/h zone on the Bruce Highway, on September 22.

Police also conducted more than 8,100 breath tests and issued more than 860 TINs as part of road safety efforts conducted throughout Operation Whiskey Spring Break in an effort to crack down on dangerous driving.

During this period, police detected and charged 49 drivers with drink driving and 20 motorists with drug driving.

There were also 576 motorists who were issued fines for speeding and 12 people fined for seat belt offences.

A 33-year-old Bahrs Scrub man was also allegedly caught travelling 151km/h in a 100km/h zone travelling north bound on the Bruce Highway between Granite Creek Forestry Road and Logan Road in Gindoran on September 22.

He was issued a $1854 fine and 8 demerit points for exceeding 100km/hr (default speed limit) by more than 40km/h (Type 2).

With drink and drug driving being one of the leading causes of fatalities on Queensland roads, officers conducted more than 8,100 roadside breath tests as part of the road safety operation.

On September 15, a 64-year-old Mount Morgan man allegedly recorded a breath test reading of 0.22 BAC and was issued a notice to appear for one count each of driving UIL and driving a motor vehicle without a driver's licence.

The man’s licence was disqualified on the spot and subjected to an interlock period.

He is due to appear before Rockhampton Magistrates Court on October 21.

A 64-year-old Mount Morgan man has been charged with allegedly driving UIL and unlicensed at Mount Morgan just after 6.45pm on September 15. He is due to appear before Rockhampton Magistrates Court on October 21.

Tragically, over the past three weeks, two people died in fatal traffic crashes in the Capricornia district, bringing the total road fatalities for the district this year to 18 lives (as of October 4).

Capricornia District Officer Acting Superintendent Mark Burgess said speeding, inattention, drink and drug driving, fatigue and lack of seatbelt use continue to be the most common killers on Queensland roads.

“Any time your attention isn’t on the road, you are putting yourself, your passengers, and everyone on the road around you at risk,” Acting Superintendent Burgess said.

“Driving responsibly and safely is every motorist’s responsibility, and we are committed to ensuring all Queenslanders adopt safer driving practices on our roads and make it to their next destination safely.”

The road toll in Queensland as at October 9 currently stands at 221 lives lost, which is one more than the previous year.