Operation Mistletoe: Police crack down on drink and drug drivers

With the festive season ramping up, police have been out in force across the Maranoa targeting drink or drug drivers. Here are some of the latest drivers who have allegedly been busted drink or drug driving.

Queensland Police are cracking down on drink or drug drivers as part of their Christmas road safety campaign, Operation Mistletoe.

There was no rest for Roma Police at the weekend, with six people charged with driving offences in South West Queensland between Saturday night and early Monday morning.

The charges include drink driving, drug driving and unlicensed driving.

• A 29-year-old St George man was charged with drink driving over the middle limit after he was intercepted driving a white Holden utility vehicle along Alfred St in St George about 10pm on December 9 and alleged returned a breath alcohol concentration of 0.108. He is scheduled to appear in the St George Magistrates Court on January 23, 2024.

• A 24-year-old Roma man was charged with unlicensed driving after his vehicle was allegedly intercepted on Bowen St in Roma at 7am on December 10. He is set to appear in the Roma Magistrates Court on January 9, 2024.

• A 26-year-old Roma man was charged with drink driving over the general limit. It is alleged he returned a breath alcohol concentration was 0.064 after his white Toyota utility vehicle was intercepted on Lovelle St in Roma at 7.25am on December 10. He is set to appear in the Roma Magistrates Court on January 9, 2024.

• A 28-year-old Bollon man was charged with driving with a relevant drug in saliva and was issued with an immediate licence disqualification. It is alleged he was driving a silver Nissan utility vehicle along Cottell Street in Roma at 11am on December 10. He is set to appear in the Roma Magistrates Court on January 9, 2024.

• A 25-year-old Roma man was charged with drug driving with relevant drug in saliva after police allegedly intercepted a yellow Holden utility vehicle on Eva St in Roma at 9pm on December 10. He is scheduled to appear in the Roma Magistrates Court on February 7, 2024.

• A Burpengary man was charged with drug driving with relevant drug in saliva. The 54-year-old was allegedly intercepted driving a black Ford utility vehicle on Lewis St in Roma at 1am on December 11. He is set to appear in the Roma Magistrates Court on February 7, 2024.

Operation Mistletoe aims to protect the community by targeting people who were driving impaired by drugs or alcohol this festive season.

Officer in Charge at Roma Police Station, Acting Senior Sergeant Dave Harper slammed drivers who thought it was acceptable to get behind the wheel while under the influence.

“Driving impaired is a selfish act that puts other road users at risk,” he said.

Acting Senior Sergeant Harper warned that drivers should expect officers to be out in force throughout the festive season, and recommended drivers always plan ahead.