Townsville police will be targeting driver behaviour across the region's most used highways and motorways this week, including speeding, drink and drug driving, as part of August's Queensland Road Safety Week.
The week-long enforcement, coinciding with Queensland Road Safety Week from Monday 17 August until Friday 21 August, is part of the wider effort and awareness for Rural Road Safety Month, running across August.
Earlier this month, it will be alleged that police observed a red Holden Commodore travelling at 142km/h in a 70km/h zone along Riverway Drive, Rasmussen, before intercepting the vehicle.
It will be further alleged that the driver of the vehicle, a 59-year-old Bushland Beach man, returned a positive roadside drug test.
The man was charged with one count of driving with relevant drug in his saliva and is due to appear in Townsville Magistrates Court on 14 October.
His licence was immediately suspended, and he was issued a traffic infringement notice for exceeding the speed limit by more than 40 km/h, fined $1,986, and received eight demerit points.
As part of this week's activities, police also conducted a static road safety operation on 17 August on the Bruce Highway at Rollingstone, resulting in 37 heavy vehicle intercepts and 37 random breath tests, all of which returned negative results.
This week, police will be targeting driver behaviours with the clear message that every choice you make behind the wheel could save, change or take a life.
Townsville District Acting Superintendent Damien Crosby said coordinated static and mobile enforcement activities are planned to target dangerous driving behaviours.
"As of today, 18 August, 10 lives have been lost across the Townsville District since 1 January 2026, compared to eight lives lost at the same time last year," Acting Superintendent Crosby said.
"Every driver has a responsibility when they get behind the wheel, and every life lost on our roads is one too many."
Townsville District Highway Patrol Officer in Charge, Senior Sergeant Rob Nalder, said that, in addition to increased patrols, officers will attend community events to engage with locals about safe driving behaviours.
"This week is just as important for our first responders who attend these traumatic events, and allows them to engage and educate the community, specifically targeting dangerous driving behaviours.
"Officers see firsthand the life-altering consequences that speeding, distracted and impaired driving, driving tired, and not wearing a seatbelt have on people and their families.
"Expect us not only on the roadways, but also in the greater Townsville area, having that greater engagement with motorists and members of the community."
The Queensland Police Service is committed to reducing the number of lives lost on our roads. However, enforcement alone cannot stop all dangerous driving behaviours.
Every choice you make behind the wheel, matters. Driving under the influence, speeding, driving distracted or while fatigued, or not wearing a seatbelt puts your life – and the lives of others – at serious risk. These dangerous behaviours will not be tolerated.
Queenslanders can expect police – anywhere, anytime.
Road safety starts with you.
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