{"id":70095,"date":"2014-06-05T21:47:16","date_gmt":"2014-06-05T11:47:16","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/?p=70095"},"modified":"2020-11-30T14:21:52","modified_gmt":"2020-11-30T04:21:52","slug":"17-charged-with-drug-driving","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/2014\/06\/05\/17-charged-with-drug-driving\/","title":{"rendered":"17 Charged With Drug Driving"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Kingaroy Police Officer-in-Charge Senior Sergeant Duane Frank with the roadside drug test strip and the follow-up test completed at the police station<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

June 5, 2014<\/strong><\/p>\n

Seventeen drivers were charged with drug driving during the week-long police crackdown in the South Burnett, dubbed “Operation Pattern”, which wound up on Wednesday.<\/p>\n

Officer-in-charge of Kingaroy Police, Senior Sergeant Duane Frank, said today drivers had tested positive to methamphetamine, amphetamine, cannabis or a combination of the drugs.<\/p>\n

As well, another three drivers had been charged with drink-driving and police issued 90 infringement notices for various offences, including unlicensed driving and driving unregistered \/ uninsured vehicles.<\/p>\n

“Operation Pattern”, which involved a specialist drug-testing unit from Brisbane, targeted drivers in the Kingaroy and Nanango areas.<\/p>\n

Snr Sgt Frank said one woman was caught twice. The 39-year-old Nanango woman allegedly tested positive to methamphetamine and cannabis on the first day of the operation, and then just a few days later she was pulled over and breath-tested, and allegedly recorded a BAC of .088.<\/p>\n

The last time the drug-testing unit was present in Kingaroy was in March, when nine drivers were charged with drug driving.<\/p>\n

Snr Sgt Frank said police had a zero tolerance to drink and drug-driving, and drivers could expect the unit to return to conduct more operations in the area.<\/p>\n

He said the fact that 17 drivers tested positive to drugs this time, and nine drivers were caught over a weekend in March, was more than just a road safety issue, it was a community issue.<\/p>\n

“These people have made a very dangerous decision to consume drugs and then drive,” he said.<\/p>\n

“Technological advances are making it easier for police to do these tests.<\/p>\n

“Police will be doing more drug-testing so the chances of being caught are high.”<\/p>\n