A planned traffic operation in Western Tasmania yesterday caught 19 people speeding and two unlicenced drivers.

Senior Sergeant Darren Woolley said the road safety effort, which ran from 10:30am to 4pm, involved officers from Western and Northern Road Policing Services, as well as officers from Transport Safety.

“728 vehicles were intercepted during the operation, with 19 drivers caught speeding,” he said.

“Seven of these drivers were speeding between 15 and 29 kilometres above the limit.”

“Unfortunately, despite widespread awareness of the risks, many drivers continue to underestimate the potential consequences of speeding.”

“This is disappointing, as evidence clearly shows that speeding is one of the fatal five contributors to serious and fatal crashes on Tasmanian roads.”

“Penalties for speeding range from monetary fines, disqualification of a person’s driver’s licence and seizure or clamping of the vehicle used.”

“In the operation, police also caught two people driving unlicenced, one person tested positive for drugs and another six drivers were issued infringements for seatbelt and inattention offences.”

“18 vehicle defect notices were also issued for various matters, including cracked windscreens, bald tyres, and faulty lights.”