Officers from Townsville Highway Patrol conducted a personal mobility device operation over the weekend targeting dangerous riding and road rule breaches.
Operation Ride Safe ran from Friday, June 6 until Sunday, June 8 and targeted personal mobility device riders using the main arterial roads into the city including Ross River Road, Charters Towers Road and other main roads leading to The Strand.
Police stopped riders to engage on the importance of road safety and handed out cards with safety information, road rules and penalties.
Police issued 47 traffic infringement notices including 21 fail to wear a helmet, 18 ride on prohibited road, four carry passenger, and one each for exceed speed limit, disobey yellow light, fail to keep left side of road and fail to keep left side of median strip.
Townsville Highway Patrol Officer in Charge Senior Sergeant Robert Nalder said it is disappointing to see so many people riding e-scooters and other personal mobility devices and not following the road rules.
"The road rules are in place to protect riders, drivers and pedestrians.
"We are noticing the increase of devastating incidents involving e-scooters.
"Sadly, we have had three deaths in Townville on e-scooters since 2024 and numerous people who have received life-changing injuries from e-scooter crashes.
"E-scooters may seem like a great idea, but they come with significant risks, especially for younger, less experienced users.
"If you have family members who ride e-scooters, talk to them about safety and make sure they know the importance of wearing a helmet and following the road rules.
"If you ride an e-scooter, it is your responsibility to know the rules and follow them, otherwise you could get a fine, or much worse, a collision causing serious injury or death.
"For those who do choose to ride PMDs, we stress the importance of wearing appropriate safety gear, including helmets, and the helmet must be done up correctly. We urge users to ride responsibly and follow the road rules and be vigilant and cautious, particularly near pedestrians and busy roads.
"Remember, e-scooters cannot be operated by a person under 16 years-of-age without adult supervision, and children under 12 years of age are not legally allowed to ride e-scooters at all," Sen Sgt Nalder said.
The penalties for misuse are
• Speeding - up to $619
• No helmet - $154
• Using a phone - $1,161
• Double riding - $154
• Riding on a prohibited road - $185
If you have information for police, contact Policelink by providing information using the online suspicious activity form 24hrs per day at www.police.qld.gov.au/reporting.
Report crime information anonymously via Crime Stoppers. Call 1800 333 000 or report online at www.crimestoppersqld.com.au.
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
