Sunshine Coast police crack down on hooning between Noosa North Shore and Cooloola

Police have sent a stern message to drivers hooning between Noosa North Shore and Cooloola after several serious incidents at the popular tourist spots.

Police have sent a stern message to drivers hooning between Noosa North Shore and Cooloola as part of an ongoing operation focused on visitor safety and the environment.

Operation Sandstorm was launched in July last year and involved targeted beachside patrols of the popular tourist spots.

With tourism gradually returning to full capacity after the easing of COVID-19 restrictions, officers have deployed drones and other tactics to monitor driver behaviour.

Sunshine Coast police district officer Superintendent Craig Hawkins said drivers were still testing the limits of their vehicles on the beach despite one death at Teewah in the past year and a number of serious crashes.

"In the past two weeks alone we've seen a young man taken to hospital after falling from the tray of a ute performing burnouts at Noosa North Shore in an area frequented by young families," he said.

"Then on the Anzac Day long weekend police attended a serious single vehicle rollover where a man was thrown from a ute due to not wearing a seatbelt."

Superintendent Hawkins said police would continue to be out in force this Labour Day long weekend.

"Close to 500 traffic infringement notices have been issued in the past two years in the area with at least three vehicles impounded," he said.

"Drone surveillance has revealed drivers are continuing to engage in risky behaviour and police remain committed to following up any reports of dangerous activity which may put other motorists and innocent campers at risk of injury."

Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service state compliance manager Michael Devery said rangers regularly monitored visitor behaviour.

He said fines were issued for non-compliance, failure to have necessary permits and for environmentally and socially inappropriate behaviour.

"In addition to Queensland Police Service officers, Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service rangers can enforce a range of driving related offences including without due care and attention, unlicensed driving, and failing to wear a seat belt," he said.

"We want to ensure the safety of all visitors to the Noosa North Shore and Cooloola area and will continue to work closely with the Queensland Police Service to uphold safe driving practices."