Crackdown on Unsafe Driving

Sunshine Coast police have recently concluded Operation Coolsafe, a targeted campaign aimed at curtailing unsafe driving behaviors through high-visibility random breath testing (RBT). Over the course of two days, this initiative has led to the arrest of 15 individuals for various offenses, including drug and alcohol-impaired driving.

The operation, which took place from January 24 to January 25, saw police conduct over 1,100 RBTs at several locations across the Sunshine Coast. The charges included six for alleged drug driving and nine for alleged drink driving, alongside 13 traffic infringements. Notable incidents include a 53-year-old man from Pacific Paradise who was charged with drug driving and a couple from Mudjimba facing severe charges for high alcohol levels in separate incidents.

These arrests underscore a persistent issue on the roads, despite ongoing police efforts and public awareness campaigns. Sergeant Joel Bryant from Coolum Beach highlighted the severe consequences of impaired driving, which often include fatal road accidents and significant emotional distress for the families involved as well as the responding officers.

The Queensland Police Service remains committed to reducing road fatalities by targeting the ‘Fatal Five’ behaviors: speeding, drink and drug driving, not wearing seatbelts, fatigue, and distraction. They urge the community to take road safety seriously and provide any relevant information that might help reduce these preventable incidents.