4000 offences in new statewide traffic blitz

More than 4000 traffic offences were detected in the first week of a statewide traffic operation targeting drivers ignoring ‘The Fatal Four’ ahead of the busy holiday period.
Operation Q-Blitz commenced across Queensland on November 1, aiming to reduce the number of traffic crashes on the State’s roads and send a strong message to drivers ahead of the Christmas period.
In the first week, a total of 3024 speeding offences, 88 drink driving offences, seven drug driving offences, 84 seatbelt offences and 75 heavy vehicle fatigue offences were detected.
A total of 147 drivers were issued with a fine for using their mobile phone while driving and 1019 other traffic infringement notices were issued across Queensland.
As part of the operation, more than 20,000 Random Breath Tests (RBTs) were conducted.
Police are urging drivers to consider ‘The Fatal Four’ contributing factors of road trauma (speeding, drink driving, not wearing a seatbelt and fatigue) before getting behind the wheel of their vehicle.
Deputy Commissioner Specialist Operations Ross Barnett said 241 lives had already been lost on Queensland roads this year, 21 more than the same time last year.
“Before we even start our Christmas road safety campaign, we want to send a strong message to drivers that we will be anywhere, anytime, targeting drivers ignoring our warnings in the lead-up to the holiday period,” Deputy Commissioner Barnett said.
“In the first week of Operation Q-Blitz, we have seen far too many drivers speeding and drink driving on our roads and we are urging drivers to consider the consequences of their actions.
“As we move into the busiest period of the year on our roads, officers will be doing everything they can to target drivers ignoring ‘The Fatal Four’.”
Deputy Commissioner Barnett said Operation Q-Blitz, which will run for the entire month, was part of the new Commissioner’s ongoing commitment to safer communities.
“This is the second in a series of statewide operations which will be rolled out as a coordinated approach, targeting issues affecting all regions,” Deputy Commissioner Barnett said.
Operation Q-Blitz, which was the first police operation named by social media followers, will continue across the State until November 30.