Police will be out in force for the start of summer holidays

Police are getting an early start to the school holidays and will be out in force to blunt what has been a deadly year on our roads.

Warning drivers to expect a heavy police presence on our roads over the coming weeks are (from left) Senior Constable Will Goodwin and Acting Inspector Brett Everest.

School may not have wrapped up for all students yet, but that has not stopped the Queensland Police Service from launching its summer holiday road safety blitz.

From Saturday drivers can expect a heavy police presence on our roads in an effort to reduce serious and fatal traffic crashes at the tail end of what has been a deadly year on our roads.

As of Friday, 28 people had died on Darling Downs roads in 2024, while 276 people had died across the state.

That is 16 more than at the same time last year.

Darling Down City Patrol Group Inspector Brett Everest said police would make a point of being seen.

“History shows us that when people see the police, drivers do change their behaviour and their habits,” A/Insp Everest said.

“That is what we want to see.”

Police will target the fatal five – speeding, drug and drink driver, distraction, fatigue and seatbelt, as they patrol both the rural roads, the suburban streets and our highways.

A/Insp Everest said every life lost has ripple effect through the community.

“Everyone has links through their work, their community networks and so forth and it resonates and it affects so many people in the community when lives are lost,” he said.

“ We’re going to see an increased number of people using the roads from now into the holiday period.

“When we do have the increased numbers on our roads, that is when our serious traffic crashes do occur for a range of reasons.”

The officers will be working under Operation Whiskey Nitrox and will draw on support from the Department of Transport vehicle inspector and the Road Policing Task Force.

It will target drivers across Toowoomba, Warwick, Stanthorpe, Goondiwindi, Lockyer Valley and Kingaroy.

“It is up to every driver to ensure that they drive responsibly and with care and consideration for themselves, their passengers and all other road users,” A/Insp Everest said.

“Generally, the people in our car are people we love and care about the most.

“That is why we implore drivers to join us and make road safety a priority.”