Police charge hundreds in blitz

Double demerit points were in force for the duration of the operation for speeding, mobile phone, seatbelt, and motorcycle helmet offences.

The Traffic and Highway Patrol Command, together with local police, patrolled roads across the state, targeting dangerous driving behaviour and risks on the roads – with the aim of preventing injury and death.

During the period, police saw a concerning number of dangerous driving incidents, including excessive speed, high-range drink-driving, and reckless driving.

Police issued 9,719 speed infringements, laid 720 drink-driving charges and 1,725 positive roadside drug detections, attended 1,009 major crashes, and conducted 438,328 breath tests.

Ten people died in crashes over the period, four more than during the operation last year.

Acting Assistant Commissioner Tracey Chapman, Commander of Traffic and Highway Patrol Command, said that she still can’t comprehend why drivers choose to disobey road rules during the festive period.

“We have seen an increase in dangerous drivers, with some of the highest numbers of speeding and drink driving offences being detected during this festive period,” Assistant Commissioner Tracey Chapman said.

“Many of these drivers will accuse police of ruining their fun during the Christmas and New Year period, but these drivers have chosen to disobey the road rules, they have chosen to put other motorists at risk.

“Police aren’t going to stop going after these drivers, so it is up to them to change their actions or get caught.

“Over 1700 drivers were detected driving with the presence of drugs in their system, close to 10,000 were speeding. These aren’t the numbers we want to see.

“I continue to urge all drivers and passengers that if you see dangerous driving to contact police and keep our roads safe.”