Sunshine Coast police have stepped up their efforts to reduce road trauma through the launch of Operation Regain, targeting dangerous driving behaviour on local roads.
The first three months of 2022 has seen eight deaths on Sunshine Coast roads, the highest toll the District has seen in recent years, as well as 140 serious traffic crashes.
Sunshine Coast District Superintendent Craig Hawkins said there has been a remarkable increase in the number of people willing to drive a vehicle whilst adversely effected by alcohol or drugs.
"I would like to remind those people that wish to put the lives of others at risk on our road, the Sunshine Coast Police will be re-focusing our energy at road safety and driver behaviour," Superintendent Hawkins said.
As part of the Operation Regain, motorists can expect to see a very strong presence of police on local roads focusing on:
- Drink and drug driving
- Hooning activities
- Modified vehicles
As well as the Fatal Five:
- Mobile telephones
- Speed
- Drink/drug driving
- Seatbelts
- Fatigue.
An additional 20 officers across the District (61 in total) have been trained in the testing of drivers for drugs, and joint training has been conducted with the Department of Transport and Main Road concerning modified and defective vehicles.
"We have all seen the footage of the modified vehicles and hooning activities that has been occurring on our Northern Beaches, that's not to mention the reports we receive regarding hooning behaviours in and around our suburbs," Superintendent Hawkins said.
"It is my intent to remind people that road safety is a very high priority for Sunshine Coast Police District, by ensuring that our responsible road users are on the roads don't have their lives put at risk."
