Police launch Operation X-Ray Easter as school holidays start

While Easter is a time to celebrate with family and friends, all that extra travel brings an increased risk of serious or fatal traffic crashes. Read how police are responding here.

The Queensland Police Service’s Easter holiday traffic operation has opened with multiple serious crashes that put motorists in hospital.

Even on Friday, a man suffered a potentially life-threatening head injury after he rolled a car at Miles, while about noon on Saturday, a motorcyclist suffered rib, foot and shoulder injuries after crashing on an isolated country road east of Texas.

Motorists can expect a heavy police presence on our roads from today as officers across Queensland roll out Operation X-Ray Easter.

This year’s operation will see the office issuing thousands of roadside drug and alcohol tests as they work to drive down the number of serious and fatal crashes.

It comes after impairment contributed to a spike in fatal crashes last year, with 50 people dying in crashes caused by drunk driving and 60 people dying in crashes linked to drugged driving.

Easter is one of the busiest times on our roads, with families and holiday-makers taking advantage of the long weekend to travel, catch up with loved ones, and explore the great outdoors.

QPS Road Policing and Regional Support Command Acting Chief Superintendent Garrath Channells reminded motorists that those celebrations should never come at the cost of safety.

“Easter is a time for families and friends to create lasting memories. We do not want to see anyone’s holiday period end in tragedy,” he said.

“History tells us Easter is a particularly dangerous time on our roads, with families travelling longer distances, often on unfamiliar routes.

“It is critical that drivers and riders stay alert and avoid the fatal five: driving under the influence, speeding, fatigue, distraction, and failing to wear a seatbelt correctly.

“Road users can expect to see police anywhere and at any time using high-visibility patrols and covert operations these Easter holidays to keep Queenslanders safe.

“Police will do whatever it takes to increase safety on our roads, creating safer drivers, safer vehicles and safer communities.”

So far this year, QPS has conducted more than 500,000 random breath tests and more than 14,000 roadside drug tests across Queensland, detecting more than 9500 motorists over the legal alcohol limit and almost 3000 positive indications that motorists have driven under the influence of illicit drugs.

Police are urging all motorists to plan ahead, organise a designated driver if consuming alcohol, and take regular breaks on long journeys to help ensure a safe and happy Easter for everyone.