POLICE, transport safety and inland fisheries officers conducted a traffic operation at three locations in the Central Highlands on Saturday, conducting a range of traffic enforcement activities including vehicle and licence checks, and drug and alcohol tests. Police today issued the following statistics from the operation:
◼️ Infringements were issued to drivers for speeding, failing to display plates, following too close to a vehicle and crossing double white lines
◼️ 34 vehicle defects were identified
◼️ Zero drink-drivers were detected from 450 random breath tests.
◼️ 20 drivers had alcohol in their system but were below the legal limit of 0.05.
“We’d like to thank the community for their co-operation during this operation,” a Tasmania Police spokesperson said. “We encourage everyone to continue to follow the rules, be patient, and make sure you’re not putting yourself or others in danger on the roads.”
Saturday’s joint traffic operation saw police, fisheries and transport officers posted at the following intersections: Lyell Hwy and Marlborough Rd, Highland Lakes Rd and Marlborough Rd, and Highland Lakes Rd and Poatina Rd.
Inspector Nick Clark said the operation was aimed at encouraging safe behaviours and removing unsafe motorists and vehicles from the roads. “Last year there were a devastatingly high number of fatalities on our roads, and police are encouraging every motorist to be safe on the roads and reset dangerous driving behaviours,” Inspector Clark said. “Statewide in 2022, there were 50 people killed and 255 seriously injured in crashes on Tasmanian roads.”
“Traffic operations like this one are aimed at improving driver behaviours and removing unsafe motorists and vehicles from our roads. Police are continuing to do everything they can to prevent fatal and serious crashes on our roads, and we urge the community to do their part and help us.”
Inspector Clark said there were five simple actions drivers can take to help prevent fatal and serious crashes:
- Pay attention – one moment of distraction is all it takes to cause a crash.
- Obey the speed limit – it’s there for a reason.
- Never drive after drinking or taking drugs – you’ll be putting more than your life on the line.
- Rest if you’re tired – arriving late is better than not arriving at all.
- Buckle up every person in the vehicle – seatbelts save lives.
