Operation Crossroads – Christmas Day Update
Operation Crossroads – State wide enforcement activities to date:
| State wide traffic enforcement activities | 2015 | 2014 |
| Random drug & alcohol tests to date | 4515 | 3911 |
| Motorists charged with drink driving offences to date | 26 | 10 |
| Motorists who returned positive oral fluid tests to date | 7 | 17 |
| Total Infringement notices issued to date | 346 | 442 |
| Infringement notices issued for speeding offences | 227 | 253 |
| Infringement notices issued for inattentive driving | 25 | 30 |
| Infringement notices issued for mobile phone use | 23 | 21 |
| Infringement notices issued for seat belt offences | 26 | 21 |
Tasmania Police continue to maintain a high visibility presence on the states roads during this holiday period. Unfortunately, a small percentage of the motoring community still fail to pay attention to the constant messaging regarding safe driving behaviour.
The greatest disappointment is the significant increase in motorists charged with drink driving offences for the same time last year, with 16 more incidents detected Statewide. That is a total of 26 motorists who chose to ignore the road rules, display any form of common sense and completely disregard the safety of other road users.
Specifically a 58 year old man from the Huon area was arrested last night for driving under the influence of alcohol. He returned a blood alcohol level of 0.187%. He was issued a 24 month immediate disqualification.
Police will continue to be out in numbers as part of Operation Crossroads to ensure this small percentage of people are taken off the states roads.
A serious two vehicle crash last night at Lyttleton Street and Elphin Road Launceston between a motor cycle and a small four wheel drive saw a 65 year old man admitted to hospital with serious head and chest injuries. Initial investigations indicate inattention may have played a considerable part in the occurrence of the crash.
A second serious single vehicle crash at Mathinna in the state’s east also saw the passenger of a vehicle thrown from the Toyota Hilux he was travelling in. The man’s injuries were significant and he was required to be airlifted to the Launceston General Hospital. Initial investigations indicate alcohol was a contributing factor to the crash.
Both incidents could have been avoided. Tasmania Police urge all motorists to consider the potential impact of poor driving behaviour on other road users and will continue to target the fatal five;
Speed
Seatbelts
Alcohol and Drugs
Distraction
Fatigue