Drones used by Sunshine Coast Police in weekend e-motorcycle, e-bicycle and e-scooter blitz
Sunshine Coast Police are using drones for the first time to catch brazen youths performing dangerous, illegal e-bike stunts on busy roads, after residents voiced fears someone would be killed or seriously injured.WATCH: Residents rush in as campervan erupts in flames
Sunshine Coast
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In a Sunshine Coast first, police are using drones to catch brazen youths running rampant with dangerous, illegal e-bike stunts on busy roads.
This comes off the back of residents saying they feared someone would be killed or seriously injured.
In early October, police confirmed they were investigating a number of e-bike and e-scooter incidents on roads at Coolum Beach, Sunshine Beach and Sunrise Beach.
Videos had surfaced online of the outrageously dangerous stunts being performed by youths in traffic, with little to no regard for their safety or the safety of others.
The videos showed youths on e-bikes riding dangerously towards oncoming traffic in a crazy game of chicken, with their friends filming the stunts.
At the weekend, police used drone technology as part of a blitz targeting those on electric bicycles, e-scooters, and motorcycles in Coolum Beach.
During the two-day operation on November 2 and 3, led by Coolum Beach officers with State Road Policing Task Force support, more than 10 e-motorcycles, e-scooters, and e-bicycles were seized.
Sergeant Joel Bryant said police were disappointed with the lack of compliance by electric bicycle, e-scooter, e-skateboard and motorcycle riders.
He said a high number of young offenders were flouting the law.
“Not knowing the road rules of a vehicle or device you are operating, is not a defence,” Sergeant Bryant said.
“Not wearing a helmet, or riding unlicensed, unregistered, and uninsured are the most common offences, however there are also concerning instances of users operating their e-motorcycle, e-scooter, or e-bicycle dangerously and endangering lives.
“Riders are risking serious, life-changing injuries, or worse.
“Many of the e-motorcycle, e-scooter and e-bicycle fatalities in Queensland, have occurred when the riders have been travelling less than 20km per hour.
Drones were used as part of the operation for the first time on the Sunshine Coast, helping gather evidence and tracking offenders.
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