Surfers Paradise police blitz: Large number of motorists nabbed

Police have nabbed motorists for a range of offences during a road safety blitz in the heart of the Gold Coast. See photos and video of the major operation.

Police have nabbed a large number of people for a range of alleged offences during a surprise road safety blitz.

More than 20 officers including members of the Rapid Action Patrol (RAP) squad, Criminal Investigation Branch (CIB) and Highway Patrol were on hand during the Surfers Paradise operation, which ran from 7pm until late on Thursday.

SPER officers from Queensland Treasury also took part in the operation.

Police conducting a road safety operation at Surfers Paradise on Thursday night test a man for alcohol. Picture: Keith Woods.

The Gold Coast Bulletin was present as multiple drivers were dealt with by police for suspected drink driving, drug driving, driving without a licence and suspected possession of illegal drugs.

More than 460 roadside breath tests were conducted during the operation with ten alleged drink drivers and five alleged drug drivers detected. The highest reading for alcohol was 0.164.

Officers from Gold Coast Highway Patrol also issued 10 traffic infringement notices and completed a number of vehicle inspections as part of the road safety operation, while a 43-year-old male was stopped for being unlicensed and following a search of his vehicle a quantity of drugs was located.

Acting Inspector Bradley Rix said the operation was a foretaste of what was to come over the Easter holiday period as police cracked down on driving offences.

“(This is) obviously going to lead in a week’s time into Operation Easter Break, starting next Thursday 28th of March, which will take us through to the 14th” he said.

“Then Operation Back to School will start on the 15th and go through to the 19th of April.”

Acting Inspector Rix said it was an opportunity to “engage and enforce, and educate the public on road safety and prevent traffic offences.”

A man is spoken to by police. Picture: Keith Woods.

He said the effects of drink and drug driving could be devastating, which was something officers were working hard to prevent.

“There’s court outcomes for people, there’s loss of licence, there’s incidents that lead to fatalities. And that’s horrendous for so many people. The person who’s driving the vehicle, the victim, their families, witnesses, first responders, that has a long-lasting effect on a whole range of people.

“It’s horrible. Hence why we conduct these types of operations.”

Police conducting a road safety operation at Surfers Paradise on Thursday night. Picture: Keith Woods.

Among the many people the Bulletin witnessed being dealt with by police on Thursday for suspected offences was:

* A woman driving a Porsche with a child in the back.

* An elderly man who tested positive for drug use.

* A man who was found to have clip-seal bags in his car which officers believed to contain illegal drugs.

All will be dealt with by the courts in Southport in coming weeks.

Follow @keithjwoods