RBT stops set up across Gold Coast as massive police blitz begins
Gold Coast police are ramping up their operations to catch drunk drivers and speeding motorists as the city braces for an influx of tourists from Greater Brisbane. FULL DETAILS >>>
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GOLD Coast police will ramp up their presence in the city in a blitz to catch drug and drunk drivers, as well as speeding motorists, across the Easter holiday period as the city braces for an influx of tourists from Greater Brisbane.
The city’s Patrol Services Superintendent Rhys Wildman this morning said police would be throwing everything at a statewide road-safety campaign, which will run from today, through the Easter weekend and school holiday period to 18 April.
Gold Coast police will be conducting random and static tests for drug and drink driving, as well as enlisting road police to patrol the M1, water police and beat police to ensure visitors heading to our city from noon today, following the lifting of Brisbane’s lockdown, were abiding by the law.
“During this Easter period, over the next four days, we are likely to see a dramatic increase of traffic, particularly here on the Gold Coast with members of the public,” Supt Wildman said.
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The senior officer said road fatalities across the state had already reached 74 — 26 more than at the same time last year.Only one of those fatalities has been on the Gold Coast this year, but late last year seven people died on local roads.
“We can’t rest on our laurels on this. There were collisions late last year (on the Gold Coast) and in those, seven people lost their lives. That is why we are getting on the front foot,” Supt Wildman said.
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Over the next few weeks, local police will use “covert and overt strategies” — including mobile speed cameras — to check people are driving to the limits.
“Any vehicle you see on the road could be a police car and if you’re doing the wrong thing, you’re liable to get caught,” Supt Wildman said.
Residents are advised to be patient as tourists are expected to head to the city this afternoon.
“The influx into the southeast corner will be quite challenging for residents,” Supt Wildman said. “Those who are visiting, it will take longer … to get around.“Add extra time to your travel and be aware you might be in some traffic snails and traffic delays, act patiently.”
The officer also called on motorcyclists to drive to the conditions in the Gold Coast hinterland, saying rain across Sunday and Monday would create “complex” conditions for day-trippers riding in groups or alone.
Supt Wildman said motorists should be aware of the key factors that could lead to a crash, including distraction, drink and drug driving, fatigue, speed and seatbelt use. He said to plan ahead when attending Easter parties, to ensure drivers weren’t getting behind the wheel intoxicated.
“If you are going to go to a social engagement and consume alcohol, park the car and don’t drive. Look at alternate strategies like ride sharing, taxis, public transport. There are always other ways to get around town,” Supt Wildman said.
Water police will also be conducting additional patrols over the weekend.
Supt Wildman said the community had largely been compliant during Greater Brisbane’s lockdown but that officers yesterday handed out 216 masks to those who were not wearing them.
PREVIOUSLY: WHY GOLD COAST DRINK DRIVER NUMBERS DROPPED IN FIRST HALF OF 2020
THE number of drivers caught blotto behind the wheel dropped significantly in the first half of 2020, but it had very little to do with motorists actually drying out.
Police figures showed that between January 1 and July 31 2020, 1353 motorists were caught drink driving in the Gold Coast local government area. This was down almost 500 when compared with the 1846 motorists pinged for the same period last year.
Lawyers said the drop was not because people had suddenly decided to drive sober.
It was more a combination of police suspending RBTs during the height of the coronavirus pandemic and more people drinking at home due to social restrictions.
It was not saving lives because, as of September 6, 170 people had lost their lives on Queensland roads, 24 more than the same time the previous year.
“People are not drinking at places like nightclubs or pubs,” Potts Lawyers director Bill Potts said.
“They are probably drinking at home because they are probably not partying.”
Hannay Lawyers director Chris Hannay said he had noticed a small decrease in drink driving but an increase drug driving.
“People aren’t going out and getting drunk as much but people are staying home and taking drugs and then choosing to go to their friends,” he said.
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Bamberry Lawyers solicitor Sam Jackson said the firm had not noticed a downturn in work.
He said that may be because during the height of the pandemic a number of the drink driving cases were not set down for at least three months.
Those cases are only just making it to the courts now.
A Queensland Police spokesman said on average each year drink driving caused 55 deaths and 550 serious injuries across the state.
“Police are concerned with an alarmingly high number of lives lost on our roads in 2020, particularly given the reduced road activity during COVID-19 restrictions,” he said.
“We urge all Gold Coast motorists to take road safety seriously and if you have been drinking, do not put other road users at risk by driving.
“Officers will continue to actively target and take action against drivers who are under the influence of alcohol or drugs across the Gold Coast.”
Drink driving cases
2020
January – 284
February – 170
March – 214
April – 134
May – 187
June – 199
July – 165
Total: 1353
2019
January – 280
February – 231
March – 255
April – 209
May – 307
June – 265
July – 299
Total: 1846
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