QLD police investigate ute driver accused of tailgating

Police are investigating after footage was posted to social media showing a ute being driven on the Gold Coast in what’s been called an ‘extremely reckless’ manner. Tell us what you think - vote in our poll.

Police are investigating the actions of a motorist caught on camera driving perilously close to the rear bumper of another car along a busy Gold Coast road.

In footage shared to social media, a ute can be seen tailgating another vehicle and flashing its lights along Oxley Dr in Paradise Point.

According to police, the driving behaviour allegedly began at Broadwater Ave in Hope Island before continuing across the Jabiru Island Bridge and on to Oxley Dr.

The alleged incident took place not long after 6am on Friday May 24. Footage shot from a the rear of the vehicle being followed indicated they were travelling at speeds of up to 69km/h on 60km/h roads at the time.

A ute allegedly tailgating another vehicle in Paradise Point on the Gold Coast. Picture: Hope Island Neighbourhood group / Facebook.

According to a post in the popular Hope Island Neighbourhood Facebook group, the driver of the vehicle being followed, who was not named, said the behaviour continued even when the ute had room to pass.

“(The) driver was driving extremely recklessly, weaving in and out of cars and tailgating me despite having room to overtake, and flashing and beeping me,” the person said.

A Queensland Police Service spokesperson said the matter was being investigated by officers.

“A report was made to police on May 24,” the spokesperson said.

“At approximately 6.20am, a Holden Colorado Ute was reported to be tailgating a vehicle from Broadwater Avenue, across the Jabiru Bridge and along Oxley Drive.

“(There were) no reported injuries or damage to property.

“Police take all matters of dangerous driving seriously and encourage members of the public to report incidents of tailgating or other dangerous driving behaviour on our roads that may put others at risk.”

Senior Sergeant Bradyn Murphy, the Officer In Charge of the Gold Coast Road Policing Unit. Picture: Glenn Campbell

In an interview in early May Senior Sergeant Bradyn Murphy, the Officer In Charge of the Gold Coast Road Policing Unit, said highway patrol officers were targeting incidents of tailgating on Gold Coast roads.

“I guess it’s one of those statistics that doesn’t get reported on,” Snr Sgt Murphy said.

“We are getting the person who’s tailgating, we do stop the people that change lanes without indicating, all that sort of stuff.”

Tailgating was also revealed to be the biggest pet peeve of drivers in a survey of just over 1000 Australians conducted by comparison service Compare The Market earlier this year.

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