October 28, 2026
Forty-one motorists have been charged with drink and drug-driving offences following a six-day traffic operation targeting dangerous driving.
Operation Auster ran from October 19-24 across the Queensland Police Service’s Southern Region, which includes the South Burnett.
Police conducted 3800 random breath tests, resulting in 13 people being charged with drink driving; and 138 random drug tests, resulting in 28 people being charged with drug driving.
Officers also issued 470 traffic infringement notices, including 270 for speeding, 44 for disqualified driving and 72 for unregistered driving.
About 1:30pm on October 20, police were conducting patrols along the D’Aguilar Highway at Benarkin when they recorded a Porsche Cayenne travelling at 130km/h in a 100km/h zone.
The driver, a 75-year-old Wulkuraka man, was issued with a $777 infringement notice and incurred four demerit points.
Southern Region Operations Inspector David Campbell said the results of Operation Auster highlighted the importance of continued enforcement and responsible driver behaviour.
He said motorists should expect to encounter police anywhere, at any time.
“Police will continue to conduct both overt and covert traffic enforcement across the region. Whether you’re travelling through a major centre or a regional community, you can expect police to be out there enforcing the road rules,” he said.
There has been 45 deaths on Southern Region roads so far this year, including 19 in the Darling Downs District which includes the South Burnett.
