Operation Crossroads a nation-wide road safety campaign over the Easter period has concluded with Tasmania recording no fatalities on our roads during the period.  Overall, Tasmania Police commend the Tasmanian Community for heading the road safety message during this period that supported the principle of Operation Crossroads that everyone has the right to travel on the road safely.

Inspector Beech-Jones stated that the fatality free result was even more commendable considering the Easter period driving conditions where particularly challenging due to the road weather conditions that did result in two road weather warnings being issued by the Bureau of Meteorology.

Research shows that a strong police presence goes a long way towards enhancing community safety on our roads and in support of this Tasmania Police conducted 18,956 Random Breath Tests which was in excess of 5,000 more than was conducted during the 2011 Easter period and detected a total of 63 drink drivers compared to 68 in 2011.  Whilst the number of drink drivers was down from the previous year, police are still concerned at the number of drivers who continue to be detected speeding.  Eight hundred and eighteen motorists were detected speeding as compared to 556 for the same period last year.

“Don’t speed. Don’t drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs, pay attention to the road and other road users.  These are not new messages and yet there is still an element of the public who openly chose to disregard these simple messages” Inspector Beech-Jones said

The following are the final results for Operation Crossroads:

• Total random breath tests conducted: 18,596
• Persons charged with alcohol related driving offences: 63
• Drug tests conducted: 40
• Positive drug tests: 6
• Infringement notices issued (speeding): 818
• Vehicle confiscated/clamped: 9

Operations Crossroads may have concluded however Tasmania Police will continue to maintain a highly visible presence on our roads.  The message is simple, Road Safety is everyone responsibility.

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