December 13, 2024
Operation Mistletoe – which aims to reduce road deaths over Christmas – began on Friday, with police warning there will be “covert” motorcycles fitted with speed guns.
A police spokesperson said that between December 13 and January 27, communities can expect to see an increased number of police patrols across the Ipswich, Darling Downs and Southwest districts.
(The South Burnett is part of the Darling Downs Police District).
The operation will include extra covert and overt QPS motorcycles.
So far in 2024, 287 people have died on Queensland roads, 20 more than at this time last year.
Across the Southern Region there have been a total of 59 lives lost with 29 deaths in the Darling Downs District, 18 in Ipswich District and 12 in the South West District.
Many more people have been seriously injured or are facing long-term trauma and hardship.
Senior Sergeant Kim Hill, from Toowoomba Highway Patrol, said many of the deaths and serious injuries have been the result of speeding, drink driving and driver inattention.
“Operation Mistletoe will see police focus on these bad driver behaviours to help make our roads safer this festive season.” Senior Sergeant Hill said.
“This operation is taking a tactical and targeted approach, with increased high-visibility police patrols across the region to help foster safer roads for all users including drivers, riders and pedestrians.”
“Just remember, from Durham to Dinmore, and from Kingaroy to Kurumbul, we will have police patrolling our roads – you could see them anywhere, anytime.”
