A six-day road safety blitz targeting the fatal five across the Southern District has wrapped up resulting in 51 people charged with 63 offences.
Operation Auster involved Highway Patrol and General Duty police officers saturating highways and rural roads across Ipswich, Darling Downs and South West Districts with high visibly and covert proactive patrols in addition to static road safety enforcement sites conducting random breath and drug testing.
Police conducted 4508 RBTs and 337 traffic infringement notices (TIN) were issued with 212 of those for speeding offences.
Eight alleged drink drivers and 26 alleged drug drivers were detected during the same period.
On October 21, police intercepted a Toyota Landcruiser allegedly travelling at 163km/h in a 100km/h zone along the Warrego Highway at Dalby.
The driver, a 34-year-old Sydney man was issued with a TIN resulting in a $1919 fine and loss of eight demerit points and loss of licence for six months.
On October 22, police intercepted a Kia Carnival allegedly travelling at 171km/h in a 100km/h zone along the Leichhardt Highway at Miles.
The driver, a 24-year-old Burpengary man was issued with a TIN resulting in a $1919 fine and loss of eight demerit points and loss of licence for six months.
Around 7am on 23 October, a 49-year-old Dalby man driving a Nissan Navara was stopped for an RBT along Edward Street at Dalby.
It is alleged he returned a blood alcohol content result of 0.166 which is more than three times the legal limit.
The man's licence was immediately suspended, and he is expected to appear before Dalby Magistrates Court.
On October 23 police intercepted a 2001 Toyota Hilux travelling at 52km/h in a 40km/h school zone along Gore Street at Murgon.
It is alleged the driver was watching a video on a mobile device at the time.
The driver, a 23-year-old Proston man was issued with a TIN resulting in a $500 fine and loss of three demerit points.
On October 23, police intercepted a Toyota Hilux allegedly travelling at 116km/h in a 100km/h zone along the New England Highway at Wutal.
The driver a 32-year-old Newtown man was issued with a TIN resulting in a $500 fine and loss of three demerit points.
A short time later police intercepted the same driver allegedly traveling at 115km/h in a 100km/h zone along the New England Highway at Upper Yarraman.
The 32-year-old driver was issued with a TIN resulting in $500 fine and loss of three demerit points.
The driver is also alleged to have returned a positive roadside drug test, which resulted in a Notice To Appear in the Toowoomba Magistrates Court on 15 December.
Southern Region Operations Inspector David Campbell said it was disappointing to see that a number of road users continue to drive in a reckless manner with little regard to the consequences their actions may cause.
"During this operation we have witnessed firsthand people driving in way which not only endangers their own life but other road users as well." Inspector Campbell said.
"We have heard all sorts of excuses from drivers from being frustrated to blaming the vehicle."
"It is your responsibility to when you get behind the wheel to ensure you drive to the conditions and obey road rules which are in place to save lives."
As of October 26, 250 lives have been lost on Queensland roads including 24 in the Darling Downs District, 11 in the Ipswich District and four in the South West District.
Operation Auster ran from 19 to 24 October.
The Queensland Police Service is committed to reducing the number of lives lost on our roads.
Data shows that serious crashes can be significantly reduced when drivers recognise and avoid the 'Fatal Five' behaviours: speeding, drink and drug driving, not wearing seatbelts, fatigue and distraction.
Road safety is everyone's responsibility. Learn more about staying safe on Queensland roads: https://www.police.qld.gov.au/initiatives/fatal-five-staying-safe-roads
