Over the past week, Western District police have detected a series of serious driving offences across the North West, leading to multiple charges and the confiscation of several vehicles, some for indefinite periods.
Key incidents include:
Tuesday, 6 January
A 36-year-old Burnie man was caught driving while disqualified and tested positive for drugs. His vehicle was confiscated for an indefinite period, and police will apply to have it surrendered.
An 18-year-old Burnie man evaded police on a motorcycle on Thorne Street, Upper Burnie. Police identified the rider and later located him at his residence, where he was arrested. The motorcycle was confiscated for 28 days. The man was charged with evade police, speeding and unlicensed driving, and will appear in court at a later date.
Wednesday, 7 January
A 19-year-old man performed a burnout directly in front of a police vehicle on Mount Street, Upper Burnie. He refused a breath test but submitted to a drug test which was positive. His vehicle was confiscated for 28 days and he was arrested and charged with operating a vehicle in a public place in an unnecessary execution of speed, acceleration or loss of traction, failing to give way at an uncontrolled intersection, and refusing a requirement to undergo a breath test. He will appear in court at a later date.
A 25-year-old East Devonport man evaded police on Tarleton Street, East Devonport. Police later located both the vehicle and the driver. The vehicle was confiscated for 28 days, and the man was arrested, charged and will appear in court at a later date.
A 44-year-old Lauderdale man returned a breath analysis of 0.158 during random breath testing in Devonport. He was charged and will appear in court at a later date.
Thursday, 8 January
An 18-year-old Burnie man evaded police in Park Grove. He was located shortly after with his motorcycle and arrested. The motorcycle was confiscated for three months. He was charged with evade police (aggravated circumstances), disqualified driving, riding a motorcycle or quad bike without wearing a helmet, and using an unregistered motor vehicle.
A 32-year-old Devonport woman attempted to avoid police by turning off before a random breath test site and pulling into a nearby bottle shop. Unfortunately for her, police were also conducting breath tests at the bottle shop entrance. The woman returned a breath analysis reading of 0.201. She was charged and will appear in court at a later date.
A 44-year-old St Marys woman was intercepted by police and returned both a positive breath test for alcohol and a positive oral fluid test indicating the presence of illicit drugs. She will appear in court at a later date.
Friday, 9 January
A 46-year-old Devonport man was arrested after reportedly evading police in Lake Barrington. He was subsequently charged with evade police (aggravated circumstances), escape, possessing a controlled drug, reckless driving, and unlicensed driving. He has been remanded in custody. His vehicle was confiscated for an indefinite period, and police will apply to have it surrendered.
A 26-year-old Ravenswood man was detected travelling at 143km/h in a 100km/h zone on the Murchison Highway at Tullah, resulting in a fine of $871.00 and six demerit points.
A 21-year-old Tarleton man was intercepted by police and refused to submit to a breath test. He was arrested and conveyed to the Devonport Police Station, where breath analysis returned a reading of 0.108. He was charged with driving while exceeding the prescribed alcohol limit, hindering conveyance, and reckless driving.
Sunday, 11 January
A 47-year-old Devonport man evaded police on an electric bike on Gunn Street, Devonport. He was located shortly after and arrested for evade police (aggravated circumstances).
Acting Inspector Luke Negri said police also detected 18 drug-driving offences during the same period.
"Every one of these drivers posed a serious risk to the community," he said.
"If you choose to drive while affected by alcohol or illicit drugs, or attempt to evade police, you are making a deliberate and intentional decision to put lives at risk."
"We will continue to actively target this behaviour, intercept offenders, remove vehicles from the road, and hold people accountable for their actions. The message is simple – if you break the law, expect to be caught."
"We encourage the public to report dangerous driving and traffic offences to police on 131 444, or Triple Zero (000) in an emergency."
