Police operation reveals stubbonly high rate of drink and drugged drivers

Alcohol and drugs were the leading causes of fatal crashes in 2021 so the police have come down hard in a bid to save lives. But a recent traffic operation reveals the extent of the challenge they face. Details here.

Of the 27,752 random breath and saliva tests police conducted in the past month, 388 detected drivers who were adversely affected by drugs or alcohol.

The tests were rolled out in July across the Queensland Police Service’s southern region, which covers the Darling Downs, southwest Queensland and Ipswich.

They resulted in police charging 201 people with drink driving offences and 187 with drugged driving.

Darling Downs Acting Inspector David Campbell said it was frustrating to see so many people risking their lives and the lives of other road users.

“Drink and drugged driving is a focus for police this year and if people drink or take drugs and drive then there is a high chance they will get caught,” he said.

Thirty motorists were flagged for high-range drink driving with the worst being a 50-year-old woman who blew 0.256 in Toowoomba – more than the legal limit.

“Drink driving is a problem across all age groups, for male and females,” A/Insp Campbell said.

“Our youngest drink driver (in July) was 18 and our oldest was 70.”

The concerning figures come at the close of Operation Zero, a month-long police operation that targeted bad driving behaviour during July which is historically, the most deadly month on our roads.

Forty-two people have died on southern region roads this year. Sadly seven people died as result of a fatal crash in the QPS Southern Region, down from nine the year before.

Police issued 2813 infringement notices during the operation with 25 motorists fined for using a mobile phone while behind the wheell and 21 were fined for seatbelt violations.

A/Insp Campbell said the operation was about more than just fines and stern words and he called on drivers to do better.

Police rolled out an education program that drew on Michael Frazer’s experience of losing daughter after she was hit by a truck driver who was using his phone while driving.

“He talked with our Highway Patrol officer and the Forensic Crash Unit and attended a training day with officers,” A/Insp Campbell said.

“It was good for our people to hear his story because it’s a reminder about why we do what we do.”