Northern Road Policing Services along with Department of State Growth Transport Safety and Investigation Unit, conducted a combined traffic operation along Bathurst Street in Launceston between 8 and 11pm on Saturday night.

During the three-hour operation, police and transport officers conducted:

• 45 random breath tests with one driver being detected (0.058) after they were seen driving without their lights on
• 45 vehicle inspections, with 32 (over 70%) issued with defect notices. Many of those vehicles had multiple defects related to tyres, suspension, exhaust and tinting non-compliance.
• 2 unregistered vehicles
• 1 unlicensed driver
• 2 passengers not wearing seat belts.

Sergeant Ben Kromkamp from Northern Road Policing Services said a 9-year-old child was also seen sitting on the lap of another passenger in the front passenger seat of a vehicle.

“This is of major concern for police and shows a complete disregard for the safety of the child, who are our most vulnerable road users.”

“The driver was proceeded against and has received a penalty notice of 3 demerit point and a $390 fine.”

“To help ensure safe roads in our state, we will continue to conduct operations such as these to focus on high-risk offences, including seat belt compliance and drink driving.”

“Motorists will be held to account with continued operations aimed at curbing such behaviour.

“It’s also a timely reminder to ensure the vehicle you’re driving is roadworthy,” said Sergeant Kromkamp.

“If the vehicle isn’t complaint, then it’s not safe to drive.”