Members of Southern District Road and Public Order Services were random alcohol and drug testing on the Tasman Highway near Government House at 7.00 am on Sunday morning (06/12/15) when they intercepted 27 year old man from Sandy Bay, who was travelling to the Hobart Airport intending to fly to Melbourne for an ACDC concert.

The motorist undertook a random breath test which proved positive, and a subsequent evidentiary test provided a reading of 0.131%, well over twice the legal limit.  The man was issued with an immediate 12 month disqualification notice.  The man missed his flight to Melbourne however Inspector John Ward of Southern District Road and Public Order Services said he makes no apology for such action, and stated the rationale for the early morning start was aimed at detecting motorists who drive before the effects of alcohol consumption from the night before had dissipated from their body.

Inspector Ward also stated, ‘It’s only been 24 hours since the announcement of the Speeding Shatters Lives campaign, a joint venture between Tasmania Police, the Mercury, the Road Safety Advisory Council and members from the Southern District Road and Public Order Services had issued over 100 infringement notices for speeding already’.  This figure does not include speeding infringements issued by other Suburban and Rural Police.

The inspector stated ‘It was a very disappointing start to the campaign.  The public can’t say we didn’t give them fair warning, the message urging motorist’s to slow down was outlined on the front page of Saturdays Mercury newspaper’.

The Inspector also stated in an effort to reduce fatal and serious crashes, members of Tasmanian Police will be out in force, in urban and rural areas during the upcoming Christmas and New Year period, specifically targeting high risk driver behaviour which includes drink and drug driving, speeding, inattention which includes using a mobile phone whilst driving, failure to wear seatbelts, and fatigue.

Early morning operations will be a continued focus over this period, so think carefully before you drive after a big night out.