POLICE detected more than 8300 traffic offences and more than 800 crime offences during the four days of Operation Regal over the Queen’s Birthday long weekend.
More than 3150 motorists were caught speeding and 418 motorists fined for using their mobile phones, an increase of 23 and 28 per cent respectively on last year.
One in every 15 drivers tested furnished a positive result for drugs while 245 drink drivers were caught after more than 147,200 drivers were tested.
Road Policing Command Acting Assistant Commissioner Debra Robertson said the number of people found to be speeding as well as using their phones was a risk to the community that could be easily avoided.
“I’m not sure what it will take for motorists to heed the warnings,” Ms Robertson said.
“Does it have to be the loss of a loved one for the message to get through?”
Two people were killed over the weekend, a 62-year-old male motorcyclist in Baxter and a 25-year-old man off-road after the mini-bike he was riding collided head-on with another bike at Holly Plains State Park.
Other infringements issued across the weekend, include:
195 disqualified/suspended drivers;
354 unlicensed drivers;
808 unregistered vehicles;
418 mobile phone offences;
549 disobey signs/signals;
70 vehicle impounds;
and, 218 seat belt offences.
First published in the Western Port News – 13 June 2017
