Random breath testing plummets across the Gold Coast amid police staffing crisis
There’s been an astounding drop in the number of Gold Coast drivers being breath tested over the past five years. HOW THEY ESCAPED AN RBT
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Tens of thousands of potentially drunk and drug affected drivers are getting a free ride with the number of breath tests on the Gold Coast in decline.
According to Queensland Police Service data 67,915 RBT’s were conducted on the Coast last year.
That’s a decrease of 250 per cent compared to the 237,809 drivers tested in 2018.
In 2019 that number dropped to 147,810 tests (a drop of 38 per cent) before the Covid pandemic.
With less drivers on the roads in 2020 and 2021 due to tighter pandemic restrictions breath testing numbers dropped to 40,000. However, the state government has come under fire for testing still lagging behind despite the pandemic being in the rearview mirror and Gold Coast drivers being back on the roads in full force.
Police Minister Mark Ryan confirmed the figures in his answer to a question on notice tabled in state parliament.
The Bulletin asked Mr Ryan why the number of drivers being tested had declined across the Gold Coast and whether that meant less drunk drivers were being caught by police.
In a statement he said road policing “methodologies are an operational matter” for the Queensland Police Service.
“I would urge everyone to make good decisions on the road. Police have announced a major statewide police blitz over the festive season”. Minister Ryan said.
“Police advise Operation Victor Mistletoe will involve police rolling out traffic enforcement operations focusing on drink and drug driving during the party season.”
The state Opposition’s police spokesman Dale Last said the lack of drink driving operations and enforcement was a result of the staffing crisis gripping the Gold Coast.
“Police are doing the best they can. The lack of resources means they are constantly stretched and something has got to give” Mr Last said.
“(Its) created a situation where the risk to Queenslanders from drunk drivers is increasing and that is unacceptable.”
Last year, the Gold Coast Police District remained the second worst in the state for random breath testing operations post-pandemic.
Well ahead of the Moreton district which is in third place, down 98 per cent. The Coast is still behind Logan where breath testing has fallen by more than 300 per cent.
Queensland Police crime statistics suggest that there are more drivers getting behind the wheel while over the legal limit.
In 2018 there was one drink driving charge for every 75 breath tests conducted by officers. In 2022 that increased to one in every 24 drivers breathalysed.
A Queensland Police Service spokesman said RBT’s have since increased over last financial year and into 2023, but didn’t provide a figure.
“Despite a recent annual increase in RBT being conducted by the Gold Coast Highway Patrol Unit, there was an 8.44 per cent decrease in positive RBT drivers. This would indicate drivers are being responsible when drinking and deciding whether or not to drive,” they said.
“RBTs are one tactic in a suite of options designed to reduce road trauma including education programs around the Fatal Five and driver behaviour.”
QPS says the elite Rapid Action Patrol group has been called in to increase road policing operations over the festive season.
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