Between 6.30am and 10.30am Sunday 18 January 2015, members from the Tasmania Police Western District Road Safety Task Force performed breath testing in the Ulverstone area, following the Ulverstone Rodeo the previous evening.

A total of 55 drivers were tested, with five returning positive readings. Two full licence holders returned readings in excess of .05, and three provisional licence holders returned readings in excess of their zero alcohol condition. The drivers will face their local Court of Petty Sessions in the near future, charged with allegedly exceeding the alcohol limit.

Senior Sergeant Patrick Ryan of the Western District Support Division stated that it appears the drivers consumed alcohol the previous night, and under-estimated the rate at which it left their system. He stated that this serves as a timely reminder to drivers to be mindful of the alcohol they consume, particularly if driving in the hours following.

Senior Sergeant Ryan stated that the Ulverstone area was given specific attention at that time, and that drivers were tested randomly and at road sites. He stated that this formed part of an overall strategy of keeping Tasmania’s roads safe.