October 17, 2025
Kingaroy police will taking part in “Operation Auster”, a road safety blitz which will be taking place across the local police district from Sunday.
In November 2024, 11 lives were lost on Southern Region roads – including the Darling Downs Police District – making it the highest month for fatal road crashes since July 2018.
Southern Region Assistant Commissioner Matthew Vanderbyl said the operation would take a targeted and tactical approach to help prevent future road tragedies.
“We now have a new very detailed intelligence dashboard, updated twice daily, which can direct our people to the very areas where we know enforcement and driver awareness and education is best needed, and we will be using this in this operation to ensure we get the best road policing and safety outcomes for everyone,” Asst Commissioner Vanderbyl said.
“By focusing our efforts now, our intention is to address and modify poor driver behaviour prior to the start of November, which has become notorious here in this region for road fatalities.”
He said there would also be a major focus on motorbike riders as part of the operation due to their over representation in road crashes.
“Motorcycles currently account for 4 per cent of registered vehicles on Queensland roads, but as of October 8 this year they have accounted for 24 per cent of road fatalities in this region,” Asst Commissioner Vanderbyl said.
“Those are sobering figures and that is why it is imperative we have face-to-face enforcement to help drive home the message that road safety is everyone’s responsibility.”
