Darling Downs police shocked at drivers’ poor behaviour at start of school holidays

During a seven-day blitz on our roads police wrote more than 100 tickets for some truly scary behaviour, including for one driver who was caught doing fatal speeds.

Police are pleading with drivers to do better after a seven-day traffic blitz uncovered shocking behaviour on our roads.

At the close of Operation Whiskey Nitrox Darling Downs police had issued more than 268 traffic fines including 116 for speeding, with one driver allegedly detected travelling at 154km/h in a 100km/h zone on the Gore Highway at Millmerran.

One Lockyer Valley man was hit with his fifth disqualified driving charge for the year.

In total 25 people were charged with 27 traffic offences.

Police conducted 3630 RBT’s resulting in six drink drivers being caught, and 152 roadside drug tests resulting in 30 drug drivers being caught.

Darling Downs Chief Inspector Danny Shaw traffic operations like Whiskey Nitrox were about making our road safer.

“We are trying to get out into the community to prevent the loss of life or injury,” he said.

“We are coming into Christmas and school holidays are commencing and we want to make sure there is a really safe environment out there for people to move around, to do the things they want to do and catch up with family.”

Operation Whiskey Nitrox is a high-visibility road safety campaign that has brought a heavy police presence on our roads, stopping vehicles, talking with drivers and taking action when needed.

It was launched to coincide with the start of the summer holiday period that traditionally brings a greater volume of traffic to our roads.

Sadly the extra traffic brings a heightened risk of traffic crashes from poor behaviour, like driving while intoxicated, speeding or driving tied.

“People haven’t got control of the vehicle as they should when they’re intoxicated and they’re a danger to themselves and any other road user,” Chief Inspector Shaw said.

As of December 5, 279 people have died as result of traffic crashes across the state this year, 28 of which have occurred in the Darling Downs.

In November we lost three people in the Darling and Western downs.

Toowoomba man Jack Pottinger-Dore was killed when his truck hit a tree and rolled near the intersection of the Jinghi Connection Rd and Old Burrandowan Rd, Jinghi, about 6am on November 26.

Kogan firefighter Stuart Larkin was killed in a crash on Tara Kogan Rd at about 9.35pm on November 24 while on the same day Kyle Moss, a Toowoomba man, died when he crashed into a tree at Highfields.

This summer is forecast to be a wet one and police are urging drivers to stay out of flood water.

“Unfortunately, each year we lose a few people to river crossings,” Chief Inspector Shaw said.

“It may look shallow, but water can be very deceiving, particularly at night time.

“So I urge people to drive to the traffic conditions, and if it’s raining, just be really cautious.”

Originally published as Darling Downs police shocked at drivers’ poor behaviour at start of school holidays