Operation Crossroads ends at midnight tonight.

Overall traffic infringement notices are down by around 12% from last year which is encouraging, but Tasmania Police would have preferred a larger margin.

Over 65% of the infringements issued during this operation have been cautions.   These are issued to eligible drivers who have been observed committing offences but are first time offenders or have relatively good driving records.

It is not the aim of Tasmania Police to issues as many infringement notices as possible but to educate the public about safe driving practices.

There were a total of 96 infringement notices issued to motorists yesterday.  Two which stand out are a motorist detected travelling 124kph in a 80kph speed zone at Hagley in the states north and another detected travelling 131kph in a 100kph zone on the Tasman Highway at Buckland on the East Coast.  A reminder that anyone detected travelling in excess of the posted speed limit by 30-37kph can received a fine of $477 and 5 demerit points.  That penalty increases to $675, 6 demerit points and a 3 month disqualification for motorists detected travelling 38-44kph in excess of the posted speed limit.

Many people will be travelling home from their Easter escapes today.  Those of you that are we encourage you to drive safely and take breaks when you feel that you need it.   Everyone should expect to see more caravans, boats and trailers being towed on the roads today.  Those of you that are driving these vehicles or are following them, please drive courteously and patiently.  Remember these vehicles behave and handle differently than they normally would and need more room to stop or manoeuvre in an emergency.

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 crashes on our roads, these being:

• Speed
• Failure to wear seatbelts or helmets
• Alcohol and Drugs
• Inattention
• Driving whilst tired