Easter Road Conditions: North Queensland Police warn of traffic crackdown
Townsville MP Janelle Poole, a decorated former police officer, has a serious message for motorists ahead of the Easter holidays and Anzac and Labour Day long weekends.
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Townsville MP Janelle Poole, a decorated former police officer, has a serious message for motorists ahead of the Easter holidays and Anzac Day and Labour Day long weekends.
The assistant minister for a number of portfolios that include community safety and North Queensland said on Thursday that the holidays meant there would be an increase in traffic with locals “taking advantage of the beautiful part of the world that we are living in”.
She said that meant extra police on the roads “performing their duties”.
“They are out there to help keep people safe out there on the roads and it is important that people do arrive at their destinations safely,” she said.
“So please, I am urging all our road users, to please drive safely and remember the Fatal Five, take those extra stops and have those breaks if you are driving a long distance.”
The Fatal Five are speeding, drink driving, drug driving, seat belts and mobile phones and other distractions.
Fifteen people have already died on Queensland roads since the start of the Easter school holidays.
Acting Senior Sergeant Nathan Ivey, the officer in charge of the Townsville District Road Policing Unit, said there had been two fatalities in the district earlier this month.
“We are urging everyone to drive safely for the remainder of the school holidays and also when people go back to school,” he said.
“We certainly encourage everyone to pay attention to what they are doing, be considerate of other road users, allow time for your journey, make sure your vehicle is in good condition and you are prepared for where you are going.”
He urged motorists to “drive to survive and stay alive on the road network of Queensland”.
“There’s a lot of potholes around, in particular, after all the wet weather that we’ve had and so people need to drive to the conditions.”
Snr Sgt Ivey said there would an increased police presence.
“All the Highway Patrol vehicles and other general-duties vehicles are all out in force over this period … all conducting road-safety measures, including radar, lidar, RBT (road-side breath tests), roadside drug testing as well,” he said.
“If you are going to take those risks, be prepared to get caught.”
Acting Inspector Renee Hanrahan the operation would roll through the end of school holidays and Easter into the busy back-to-school period.
“But regardless of those dates, we are asking road users that anytime they are in a vehicle to be mindful of their actions because they have the responsibility to themselves and other road users.”
She said that like other holiday periods, Easter was a festive time accompanied by drinking.
“We want people to enjoy themselves but think responsibly and plan ahead,” she said.
“If you are going to be driving, think ahead and organise a designated driver (and) if you are going to be travelling long distances, plan your breaks and do what you can to get home safely.”
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Originally published as Easter Road Conditions: North Queensland Police warn of traffic crackdown
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