Police urge safe driving as festive season ends

Police are urging motorists to continue taking due care on the roads, with Operation Safe Arrival concluding last night.

The annual festive season road safety operation ran from Friday, 22 December to Wednesday, 3 January, with more than 1,000 traffic offences detected during that time.

During the same period, there were three fatalities and eight people seriously injured in crashes on Tasmanian roads.

Acting Assistant Commissioner Jason Elmer said that while the operation has finished, the work of police doing traffic enforcement has not.

“We’ll continue to be out on the roads across the state, looking out for all Tasmanian road users,” he said.

“If you aren’t watching your speed – police will be.”

“When you’re distracted from the road – police won’t be.”

“The choices you make when you’re behind the wheel or on a motorbike can be a matter of life or death.”

“Pay attention, follow the rules, and help us prevent any further tragedy on our roads.”

Operation Safe Arrival state-wide traffic enforcement activities 22 Dec 2023 – 3 Jan 2024
Random drug & alcohol tests 16,920
Motorists charged with drink driving offences 73
Motorists who returned positive oral fluid (drug) tests 93
Infringement notices issued for speeding offences 754
Infringement notices issued for inattentive driving 14
Infringement notices issued for mobile phone use 35
Infringement notices issued for seat belt offences 30
Infringement notices issued for disqualified and/or unlicenced driving 41