Tasmania Police last night conducted a large traffic operation at Melton Mowbray in the state’s southern midlands with the assistance of other government enforcement agencies.

Members of Tasmania Police Road Safety Task Force, Bridgewater Uniform Division personnel, together with Transport Safety Inspectors, Parks and Wildlife Service rangers and compliance officers and Tasmania Police Dog Handlers conducted random breath tests, drug tests, vehicle checks and firearms enforcement checks of motorists between 5pm and 8pm.

Senior Sergeant Parker of Oatlands Police said that “Although it was pleasing to not detect any drivers driving under the influence of alcohol, it was concerning that four drivers were detected driving with illicit drugs in their systems.”

Senior Sergeant Parker said that four other people are to be summonsed for offences under the Firearms Act with the Police Dog Olsen assisting in these detections.   Three people are also being summonsed for possessing cannabis after detections by Police Dog Aggie.

Defect orders were issued to 15 motorists for vehicle defects.

“Motorists are reminded to do the right thing on our roads and avoid the ‘fatal five’ contributing factors to fatalities and serious injuries on our roads; speeding, drink and drug driving, not wearing seatbelts, fatigue – and something we’re seeing more and more, which is inattention and distraction,” Senior Sergeant Parker said.

“There are fines for disobeying the road rules, but the real penalty could be killing or seriously injuring yourself or someone else.

“Remember we could be anywhere, anytime and in any vehicle, so please do the right thing by everyone on our roads.”