Police, RACQ call for Schoolies to look out for their safety
SCHOOL leavers have been urged not to take their partying privileges for granted, with calls to be aware of the dangers of drugs and driving while celebrating the end of their school education.
Townsville
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SCHOOL leavers have been urged not to take their privileges on the road for granted.
Thousands of Townsville Year 12 graduates are expected to make the trek to Airlie Beach for Schoolies this weekend, with many on their P-plates planning on driving themselves and their friends to the party destination.
New data has revealed an alarming number of young drivers were overconfident about their abilities on the road, with the RACQ’s Young Drivers Survey finding more than 70 per cent of P1 and P2 drivers rated their driving as better than their peers.
RACQ spokeswoman Clare Hunter said a lot of inexperienced drivers would be travelling long distances with friends to get to Schoolies.
“Learning doesn’t stop once you get your licence,” she said.
“We see a huge spike in accidents when drivers get their P-plates and a car full of friends can be a major distraction.”
Ms Hunter said it was important for parents and carers to talk to their children about how they will get around safely during Schoolies Week.
“There is no excuse for drinking and driving or getting in a car with a drink driver,” she said. “We want to make sure everyone enjoys the party and gets home safely.”
Police have also cracked down on drug suppliers as thousands of Schoolies prepare to descend on Airlie Beach, the Gold Coast and other Queensland hot spots.
Police targeting drug supplies seized more than $100,000 in drugs destined for Gold Coast drug syndicates and arrested 31 people on 119 charges in the lead-up to the celebrations.
Charges include involvement in supply and trafficking of methylamphetamine, cocaine, MDMA, LSD, cannabis and performance and image enhancing drugs.
Detective Superintendent Jon Wacker of the Drug and Serious Crime Group said the five-month operation was completed by officers from State Crime Command’s State Drug Squad in partnership with Gold Coast detectives and the Rapid Action Patrols Group.
“It was identified the drugs were being supplied via internet applications and distributed into the Gold Coast market using local syndicates,” he said.
Police Minister Mark Ryan congratulated police.
“We are now just days away from a significant amount of young people embarking on end of year school celebrations across Queensland,” he said.
“However, I know our police remain committed to protecting all communities across Queensland from the greed-driven networks who seek to infiltrate them with life endangering drugs.”
Police last year seized over $5 million worth of drugs allegedly bound for Schoolies celebrations, including Airlie Beach, just days before the 2017 events.
Detective Superintendent Wacker at the time said police had acted just prior to Schoolies to disrupt the supply of illicit drugs.
“Our message to people attending schoolies is don’t ruin your future life by one stupid act and that is trying to obtain illicit substances,” he said.
Originally published as Police, RACQ call for Schoolies to look out for their safety
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