A joint, six-week-long traffic operation within the Monto and Eidsvold policing divisions has come to an end with police impressed with behaviour on local roads.
Police conducted 452 roadside breath tests and issued 21 infringement notices during the operational period along with two notices to appear for unlicensed driving.
Officer in Charge Eidsvold Police Station, Sergeant Geoff Price, said that overall police were impressed with the driving behaviour on the local roads which shows by the lack of traffic crashes reported.
“During the operation, there was only one traffic crash and that was because of a kangaroo jumping out in front of a vehicle resulting in minor whiplash injuries to the occupants,” Sergeant Price said.
“This shows that the residents and visitors to this area are taking a proactive approach to their driving and ensuring safer roads for themselves and other users.”
However, while the lack of traffic crashes is a positive for local police, the number of drivers who continue to be caught speeding is an ongoing concern.
Speed is a big contributor to road crashes as it shortens your reaction time and can increase the severity of the crash.
The majority of speeding infringements were issued to drivers caught going more than 13km/h over the speed limit with several caught driving at more than 20km/h over the limit.
Incredibly, one driver was intercepted on Eidsvold Theodore Road travelling at 51km/h over the 100 km speed limit.
“There is no excuse to be driving at these high speeds and police will continue to intercept and issues infringements to these drivers,” said Sergeant Price.
With the start of school being pushed back another couple of weeks, local police will continue with a high-visibility presence out on the local roads to help ensure a safe start to the year for everyone.
Sergeant Price said that police can only do so much to ensure your safety on the road.
“If in charge of a vehicle, or a passenger, the onus falls on you to ensure you drive to the conditions and arrive safely at your destination,” said Sergeant Price.
“The lack of traffic crashes to start the year shows that the police action, and the behaviour of drivers, is effective and hopefully we can all continue this throughout the year to make the local roads a safe place.”