From today the community will see more mobile radar-fitted police vehicles and covert motorbikes across Townsville roads as part of the summer state-wide road safety campaign, Operation Mistletoe.
So far this year, 14 people have died on roads across the Townsville region and 4 people have died in the Mount Isa region.
Across Queensland, 287 people have died on our roads so far this year, 21 more than this time last year.
Additionally, more than 6,000 people have been seriously injured or are facing long-term trauma and hardship because of road crashes.
From today (December 13) until January 27, 2025 the community will see a surge of more mobile radar-fitted police vehicles and covert motorbikes out on the roads.
Highway Patrol Townsville’s Officer in Charge, Senior Sergeant Robert Nalder said officers will be targeting the ‘fatal five’ – speeding, drink driving, not wearing seatbelts, and driving while tired or distracted.
“Operation Mistletoe will see police focus on these bad driver behaviours to curb the number of road fatalities this holiday season.
“It is a busy time of year with many people travelling to visit family and friends or their favourite holiday spot.
“If we can get everybody to be more aware of their behaviour on the roads and make better decisions, it means everyone is safer,” Sergeant Nalder said.
