Despite atrocious weather conditions last night and increased traffic policing leading up to Christmas, police in the Devonport area were kept busy on Saturday night with several serious traffic offences being detected, Tasmania Police say.
The first involved an unregistered Toyota Ute evading police after committing a minor traffic offence. Road spikes were used to stop the Ute after it continued to drive in a dangerous manner in and around Devonport. The Ute eventually stopped on Forth Road and the 33 year old male driver from Ulverstone was taken into custody. Enquiries are continuing but the driver will be charged with disqualified driving, aggravated evade and dangerous driving. The Ute was towed to a police holding yard.
Two vehicles were later seen racing each other along the Bass Highway behind Ulverstone and their speeds checked at almost 160km/h. The 24 and 25 year old male drivers were intercepted further along the highway.
Inspector Shane LeFevre said "these serious traffic offenders put everyone’s lives at risk on our roads. Especially, when at this time of year families are preparing to travel for Christmas gatherings".
Both cars will be clamped and the drivers charged with high range speeding and hooning offences. One of the drivers was found in possession of illicit drugs and also tested positive to these.
Inspector LeFevre said "police will dramatically increase its monitoring of our roads in the next few days and all offences detected will be swiftly dealt with".
Information can be provided anonymously by calling Crime Stoppers.
