Operation Crossroads

Note:  This is a cumulative report comparing this stage in this year’s operation to the same stage in Last year’s operation.

This is the fourth full day of Operation Crossroads.

As it stands this year Tasmania Police have attended no fatal accidents, however, 1 serious accident occurred yesterday.

Overall Tasmania Police are pleased with the results to date. The majority of the drivers on Tasmania’s roads have been doing the right thing and that is reflected in the crash statistics.  Although there are clear examples of those in our community who have not been respecting the road safety message it is clear that the vast majority Tasmanian’s are driving in a manner that will ensure they get home safely after their Easter break.

Incidents

A number of concerning incidents marred yesterday’s road safety campaign;

• A serious crash occurred in Huonville after Police attempted to intercept a vehicle speeding at 124km/h in a 100 km/h zone. The vehicle evaded police and the driver subsequently lost control, colliding with trees in a 60km/h zone. The 58-year-old male driver from Huonville was taken to hospital with relatively minor injuries.  Whether alcohol and drugs were involved is currently under investigation, however speed was cleary a factor.  The driver will attend court at a later date.

• In Scottsdale, a 62-year-old male was apprehended driving whilst over three times the legal limit at 0.187. He was arrested, charged and received an instant period of disqualification. He will be attending court at a later date

• A 30-year-old woman from Rosny was detected drink driving on Cambridge Road, Warrane at 00:40hrs with a reading of 169. She was also unlicenced and her vehicle was unregistered and uninsured.  She was arrested and issued with an instant period of disqualification.  She will be attending court at a later date.

• A man with a P1 license was detected driving at 125km/h in an 80km/h zone – 45 km/h above the limit. He was issued with a three month disqualification and a fine of $650.

These are examples of the thoughtless, selfish and idiotic behaviour that can lead to tragedy on our roads.  It is through nothing more than pure good fortune that these incidents have not resulted in the death of a loved family member.

Drink and Drug Driving

The number of drivers detected drink driving this year is higher than at the same time period in the campaign last year.  However, when compared to the higher number of RBT’s conducted, the number of drink drivers per test remains relatively similar.  37 drivers will be facing court after being detected driving over the prescribed alcohol limit.

The number of positive drug driver tests has more than doubled than at the same time last year.  This is most likely as a result of an increase in the number of oral fluid tests that have been deployed and not necessarily indicative of an increase in drug use.  Previous statistics indicate that the most common drugs found in these tests are cannabis and amphetamine.

Some drivers continue to drive after consuming alcohol and drugs.  Tasmania Police urge people to plan ahead and either take a taxi, walk or arrange a designated driver.

Overall Traffic Infringements Notices

Police have issued 968 traffic infringement notices for this Easter period, almost 200 more than at the same time last year.  576 of these have been cautions.

Speeding

Speeding offences are significantly higher than at the same time period last year with 707 drivers detected speeding across the state.  30 of these infringements have been for offences of speeding more than 30km/h above the posted limit.

Drivers are reminded to plan ahead, slow down, be patient enjoy their trip.

Mobile Phones

Mobile phone offences increased significantly with 50 offences being detected so far this Easter Period.   This is 50 occasions where drivers have not had their attention focused on what is happening outside the vehicle.  Driving whilst using a handheld mobile phone is inherently dangerous and reduces your ability to identify, process and react to changing or unexpected conditions outside your vehicle.

Don’t be a goose – leave your phone alone.

Seatbelts

An encouraging sign is that seatbelt offences are on the decline this year – one of the few offence categories that has recorded a decline. Please ensure you and your passengers wear a seatbelt whenever you are in a moving vehicle.  Also, ensure if you or your children are on a push bike, motorbike or ATV that you wear a securely fitted and approved helmet.

Driving home this Monday?

Today is generally the day that people will be driving home from their Easter Holidays.  Expect to see more traffic on the roads today.  Be patient and courteous with drivers of camper vans and those towing caravans.  If you are one of these people driving these slower vehicles, where possible, take opportunities to pull over allow faster vehicles to get past.

Tasmania Police ask all motorists to take their time and take breaks if they are tired.  ‘Driver Reviver’ stops are set up at five areas around the state at:

St Peters Pass;

Parramatta Creek;

The Sidling;

Franklin River; and

Fossy River.

The wonderful folks from the SES are manning these locations and would love to see you pop in for a free cup of tea or coffee and a biscuit or two.

The Fatal Five

Tasmania Police ask each and every motorist to drive carefully and be continually aware of the ‘fatal 5’; the five biggest contributors to serious and fatal accidents on our roads, these being:

speed

failure to wear seatbelts or helmets

Alcohol and Drugs

Distraction

Driving whilst tired