Police are urging motorists to do the right thing on the roads, following a dedicated road safety day of enforcement in the North West and West Coast yesterday where disappointingly several drivers were detected breaking the road rules.

“Police conducted a dedicated day of action enforcing the road rules across the North West and West Coast areas of Tasmania yesterday, aimed at detecting and deterring unsafe behaviours that contribute to fatal and serious injury crashes,” said Acting Inspector Martin Parker.

“Police from across the Western District conducted dedicated traffic enforcement activities in a range of areas including Burnie, Ulverstone, Latrobe, Devonport, Smithton, Boat Harbour, Wynyard and Queenstown.”

“Traffic operations were also conducted at Howth and West Ulverstone.”

Police detected:

• 6 drink driving/drug driving offences from 1,036 random alcohol and drug tests conducted
• 20 speeding motorists
• 3 motorists using a mobile phone while driving
• 1 disqualified driver
• 1 suspended driver
• 4 defect vehicles.

Acting Inspector Parker said, “police conducting patrols of an active roadworks zone on the Bass Highway at Boat Harbour and detected a 45-year-old Launceston man travelling at 100km/h in the posted 40km/h roadworks zone.  The man was issued a traffic infringement notice which included a 4-month disqualification period, 6 demerit points and a fine of $1178.75.”

“Tasmania Police is committed to ensuring the safety of all road users, and our efforts in road safety enforcement will continue.”

“Tragically this year we have seen a devastating increase in fatalities and serious crashes compared to last year. Even one death or serious crash is one too many.”

“It is disappointing that some individuals continue to disregard the law and endanger other road users by undertaking risky driving behaviours.”

“Police will continue to conduct targeted and random patrols on Tasmania’s roads to detect and deter high-risk behaviours such as speeding, drink driving, inattention, and not wearing seatbelts. These factors overwhelmingly contribute to serious and fatal crashes.”

Police encourage the public to report dangerous driving and traffic offences to police on 131 444 or Triple Zero (000) in an emergency.

Reports can also be made through – https://www.police.tas.gov.au/services-online/dangerous-driving-report/