Operation Xray Spring Break will be bolstered by the Queensland Police Service’s (QPS) State Road Policing Task Force conducting high-visibility patrols alongside the Cairns Highway Patrol Unit these school holidays.
Additional officers and vehicles have been deployed to the Far North over the past 6 weeks, to support the ongoing surge response to crime in the region.
Motorists can expect to see police anywhere at any time, with high visibility patrols and roadside enforcement focusing on the Fatal Five: speeding, drink and drug driving, failure to wear seatbelts, fatigue and distraction.
Since 9 August, police have issued 297 Traffic Infringement Notices (TINs) and have conducted 7480 Roadside Breath Tests (RBTs).
This year, 13 people have lost their lives on Far North roads. Many of these tragedies were linked to preventable behaviours such as speeding and drink or drug driving, making road safety an operational priority for police.
On 18 August, police attempted to intercept a 32-year-old Earlville man allegedly riding a bicycle without a helmet on Koch Street.
It will be alleged the man abandoned the bicycle and ran from police, before he was arrested at a nearby shopping centre.
He was charged with one count each of obstruct police officer, contravene direction or requirement police officer, rider of bicycle fail to wear approved helmet, and possess utensils or pipes.
He is due to appear in the Cairns Magistrates Court on 3 October.
Detective Inspector Jason Chetham said while the surge operation is predominately focused on property crime, patrolling the roads is key to disrupting and preventing crime.
“Part of our surge response activities include having the Road Policing Task Force supporting our local Highway Patrol Unit to not only ensure everyone is driving safely but increase our high-visibility presence in the community,” Detective Inspector Chetham said.
“Road safety is everyone’s responsibility, plan your journey, be patient, and report any suspicious behaviour or dangerous driving to police.”
0.16 – 0.44 QP2501673901 – On 16 September, police intercepted a 19-year-old Redlynch man after they allegedly observed him driving dangerously on Cairns Western Arterial Road. He was charged with one count of drive without due care and attention or Drive without reasonable consideration for other persons using road or place and did drive over general alcohol limit but not over the middle alcohol limit not holder of licence or learner, probationary or provisional licence holder. He is due to appear in the Cairns Magistrates Court on 8 October.
0.44 – 0.57 QP2501650760 + QP2501650750 – On 13 September, an 18-year-old Edmonton man and a 43-year-old Bentley Park man were issued Traffic Infringement Notices for failing to wear approved helmet on an e-scooter.
0.57 – 1.09 QP2501644877 – On 12 September, a 26-year-old Manoora man was intercepted by police in Trinity Beach. He was charged with driving while relevant drug is present in blood or saliva while holding a learner drivers licence, learner driver driving unsupervised, not displaying L plates, driving unregistered, driving uninsured vehicle, and using, or permitting use of, vehicle for which a number plate attached given granted for another vehicle. He is due to appear in the Cairns Magistrates Court on 31 October.
1.09 – end – On 21 September, a 22-year-old Redlynch man was allegedly detected driving 157km/hr in an 80km/hr zone on the Western Arterial Road. His licence was suspended for seven days and he was issued a TIN for speeding.
