June 28, 2015
Police will out in force on local roads over the next three weeks after the launch of Operation Cold Snap on Friday.
Police Minister Jo-Ann Miller and Commissioner Ian Stewart said Operation Cold Snap will target bad driver behaviour over the winter school holidays.
This year’s campaign will run from Friday June 26 until Friday July 17 and will focus on the fatal five – the most common killers on Queensland roads.
“The winter school holidays are always a busy time on our roads with people often travelling long distances over a relatively short period of time,” Minister Miller said.
“With more people on the roads there’s a greater risk of a serious crash, and that’s why the QPS will be out in force right across the state this winter break.”
Police will be targetting drivers who speed, drive under the influence of alcohol and drugs, drive tired, don’t wear a seatbelt or use a mobile phone behind the wheel.
Police officers will be using both marked and unmarked police vehicles and speed cameras, and will be conducting roadside breath and drug testing.
Commissioner Ian Stewart said this year police would particularly focus on driver inattention and the inappropriate use of mobile phones behind the wheel.
“Any time your attention is taken away from the road you are putting yourself, your passengers and other drivers at risk,” Commissioner Stewart said.
“Mobile phones are one of the major causes of driver inattention. It’s simple – don’t use your phone while driving unless you have a suitable hands free device.”
Minister Miller said the Government was committed to keeping Queenslanders safe on the roads.
“The horror of the Easter school holidays is still fresh in our minds. I’m urging all Queenslanders to slow down and take it easy on the roads during the winter break.
“All it takes is a wrong split-second decision to take an innocent life. We want everyone to have a happy and safe break. We’ve had enough tragedy this year.”
In 2014 the road toll in Queensland was 223, which was the lowest since records began.
As at midnight on Friday, the Queensland’s 2015 road toll stood at 116, which was 13 more than the same time last year.
