Watch: Beaches, parks new target in driver crackdown

Motorists behaving badly on beaches, state forests and state-run camping spots are facing a massive spike in fines as the state cracks down following a number of fatal crashes.

Misbehaving motorists on Queensland’s protected nature areas will be hit with hundreds of dollars more in fines amid a crackdown on reckless behaviour.

Motorists caught for offences like failing to wear a helmet, a seatbelt or driving without due care in areas run by Queensland Park and Wildlife Service have, up to now, been hit with substantially lower fines than if they were nabbed on roads.

This includes national parks, state forests, state-run camping spots, and other recreation areas like Bribie Island, K’gari, and Cape Pallarenda in Townsville.

The discrepancy became markedly larger after the state government in July last year substantially increased the value of certain fines.

But a major update to the rules set to kick in from September 15 will give Queensland Park and Wildlife Service ranges the ability to slug motorists with the same fines as if the offence had occurred on roads.

And it’s not just car drivers in the firing line, with riders of e-scooters and other vehicles able to be fined for hooning in protected areas under the changes.

A motorist fined for offences while driving in a protected area. Picture: Supplied

It comes amid five fatal crashed on QPWS managed beaches at Cooloola, K’gari and Bribie Island since 2013.

Emergency services have also been called in to multiple serious vehicle rollovers, most recently in January 2023 when a vehicle carrying seven teenagers rolled at Teewah Beach.

According to QPWS dangerous driving, speeding and failure to wear a seatbelt were significant contributing factors to most of these incidents, and rangers continued to witness irresponsible driver behaviour while patrolling these areas.

In the last 12 months, rangers have issued 29 fines for seatbelt offences, 79 fines for careless driving and three fines for failure to wear a motorbike helmet.

From September 15 the cost of seatbelt offence issued by QPWS will go from $309 to $1161, a fine for driving without due care and attention will double from $309 to $619 and a helmet offence will go from $309 to $464.

A motorist fined for offences while driving in a protected area. Picture: Supplied

QPWS compliance optimisation manager Michael Devery said rangers made no apologies for handing out hefty fines to those caught endangering lives behind the wheel in protected areas.

“Queensland is home to some of the most popular vehicle-accessible beach tracks in Australia – many of which are managed by QPWS,” he said.

“While most drivers and riders do the right thing while visiting these places, sadly we have seen the tragic consequences of irresponsible motorists including fatalities and significant injuries.”

The state government, in outlining why the fines needed to be made more consistent, noted the disparity in values raised “issues of equity and fairness”.

“The amount of a person’s fine should be determined by the significance of the offence and not the identity of the officer undertaking the compliance,” the document stated.

Originally published as Watch: Beaches, parks new target in driver crackdown