Tasmania Police’s continued focus on rural roads will continue in the lead up to Christmas holiday period following three separate significant traffic offence detections in Circular Head yesterday.

• A 27 year old Smithton driver travelling at 149km/h on Montagu Road near Smithton in a 100 km/h zone.  Penalty – 6 demerits, $914.25 fine and 4 months license disqualification
• A 48 year old Togari motorcyclist detected travelling at 160 km/h on the Bass Highway at Rocky Cape in a 100 km/h zone. Penalty – 6 demerit points, $914.25, 4 months license disqualification and motorcycle seized for 28 days
• An unlicensed 26 year old Smithton driver will face court after failing to stop for police on Scotchtown Road, Smithton. He was found by police in a pine tree in a farmer’s paddock shortly afterwards.  The motorist also failed a roadside drug test and has been charged with several offences including aggravated evade and dangerous driving and will appear in the Burnie Magistrates Court at a later date.  His motor vehicle was seized for 6 months.

“The 3 detections are all extremely concerning, particularly relating to the significantly high speeds and blatant disregard of the law, road safety and other road users,” Inspector Adrian Shadbolt said.

“Irresponsible behaviours such as those detected lead to tragic consequences for those involved and other innocent road users and Police are committed to continuing their focus on rural roads and highways.

“The Crossroads road safety operation will shortly commence for the Christmas/New Year period and members of the public can expect that police will be undertaking both overt and covert activities We could be anywhere on Tasmanian roads in the lead up to, and over that period.”