Far North police conducting targeted patrols on roadwork affected arterial roads have intercepted more than 70 motorists whose behaviour behind the wheel put other road users at risk.
The patrols, part of a four-day crackdown, saw Mareeba road policing officers capture 71 motorists speeding and three overtaking when unsafe to do so through reduced speed and roadwork areas on the Kennedy Highway including an 18-year-old Atherton man who was allegedly detected travelling at 121km/hr in an 80km/hr zone.
Assistant Commissioner Brett Schafferius said motorists travelling through these marked roadwork zones were a danger to not only themselves but also posed a considerable risk to roadworkers and other road users.
"We are encountering motorists travelling up to 60km/h over the speed limit in areas that are clearly signed with speed reductions - this is incredibly alarming," Assistant Commissioner Schafferius said.
"Our speed limits exist for a reason and when changes are implemented it often indicates a change in road condition. These limits also exist in areas where roadworks are occurring as these works can make our familiar main roads unpredictable.
"By ignoring these road signs and travelling at great speed, roadways under construction become a hazard also putting workers' lives at risk. We have lost far too many lives on our roads this year to be driving dangerously, speeding and ignoring road signs.
"We want motorists to know that speeding through these zones can have very real consequences, for their lives and the lives of others.
"We will continue to crack down on risk taking behaviour through marked roadwork zones so if you are speeding through these areas, expect to see police anywhere, anytime."
Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said the Palaszczuk Government would be rolling out speed cameras in roadworks areas across Queensland to keep workers safe.
"I don't want to see another roadworker killed by the reckless actions of a speeding driver," Mr Bailey said.
"Speeding remains one of the leading causes of crashes in this state and it is vital we do what we can to protect our vulnerable roadworkers.
"The safety of our roadworkers is paramount, and more important than ever given the record level of roadworks happening across Queensland. That is why we are also rolling out speed cameras to roadworks.
"When you are behind the wheel, you have the power to save lives or kill and injure people. It is that basic. If you are the cause, you will carry the burden of your actions for the rest of your life."
194 lives have been lost on Queensland roads so far in 2021 (21 more than in 2020) including 13 lives lost in the Far North Region.
