Far North Inspector Mark Henderson said drink and drug driving a cocktail for disaster
Appalling numbers of Far North drivers are playing with their own lives and others as police reveal the results of a testing blitz.
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Appalling numbers of Far North drivers are testing positive for alcohol or drugs, which together with the week’s wet weather is being described as a “cocktail for disaster”.
Earlier in December, five people died in the space of four days in circumstances that a senior Far North police officer said could have been avoided.
Inspector Mark Henderson implored drivers to think before they got behind the wheel this Christmas.
On Tuesday, Insp Henderson said the first weekend of the force’s traffic holiday blitz Operation Charger involved 1300 RBTs, and officers were appalled by the high number of drivers who tested positive for alcohol or drugs.
He said driving under the influence, especially in wet conditions, was “a cocktail for disaster”.
“Over the weekend we conducted RBT operations with a Booze Bus and in the matter of a few short hours we detected 13 drink drivers and nine under the influence of drugs,” he said.
“On the back of the highest road fatalities the Far North has probably ever experienced, sadly 33 lives so far this year … I have to say it’s very disappointing.”
The highest reading was 0.166% BAC.
The nine positive drug-drivers came from a pool of 29 roadside drug tests.
Inspector Henderson said police issued 73 traffic infringement notices for offences such as speeding, drivers and passengers failing to wear seatbelts, defective vehicles and driving vehicles at night without the required lights operating.
Inspector Henderson said only two defective cars were detected.
“One driver tried to do a runner,” he said.
“He was found to be wanted on 25 charges and 20 warrants for bail and other offences”.
Inspector Henderson warned that officers would vigilant on the roads through the festive season and new year celebrations.
“Despite the rain, officers are out there policing road safety,” he said.
“Our aim is to try to have everyone home safe on Christmas Day.”
He said stormy conditions have made road surfaces extremely slippery and reminded people to drive to the conditions.
Inspector Henderson said people needed to slow down and take extra care.
“Unfortunately we have an eight-year-old fighting for his life still after being airlifted from Laura,” he said.
“On Saturday night a driver minding his own business, slid across the road and rolled over and he’s probably lucky to be alive.”
The pressures on police, emergency services and health workers were immense at this time of the year, Insp Henderson said.
“They are out on the road trying to keep you safe,” he said.
“Particularly for my officers, they have been through a fair bit in the last couple of weeks.”
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Originally published as Far North Inspector Mark Henderson said drink and drug driving a cocktail for disaster
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