Sunshine Coast Highway Patrol officers are anticipating a busy long weekend across local roads and beaches with increased traffic, and will be performing high visibility policing and education to keep all road users safe.
Gympie Police have set up an educational pop up at the Traveston Caltex Travel Centre on the Old Bruce Highway on 23 January, to help educate drivers passing through the area.
Last month, Operation Sandstorm saw more than 200 traffic infringement notices issued across seven days at Noosa North Shore, Teewah and the Cooloola Recreation Area.
92 of those TINs were for speeding, and 13 for not wearing a seatbelt. Nearly 470 RBTs were also conducted.
Similar enforcement actions will also be taken this long weekend across the region to deter speeding and drink driving, and ensure everyone enjoys the public holiday safely.
Senior Sergeant Shane Panoho from Sunshine Coast Highway Patrol said drivers should be mindful of the fatal five – speeding, drink driving, driving distracted, not wearing seatbelts and fatigue.
“Please take care across this last long weekend before our children head back to school,” he said. “Make the most of it yes, but drive to the conditions and ensure you are doing everything you can to ensure you get home safely.”
Police will also be out in force from Tuesday 27 January as the new school year begins across Queensland and 40km/h school speed zones enforced.
In 2025, police issued more than 140,00 infringement notices to motorists detected speeding within school zones in Queensland.
Snr Sgt Panoho said e-bikes and e-scooters will also be a major focus for Sunshine Coast police.
“We have a whole cohort of young ones starting school for the first time, it’s an amazing time in their lives and their parents as well. Make sensible, safe decisions,” he said.
“If you have a compliant e-device and you are riding it appropriately, you have nothing to fear. But if you are riding one of these electric motorcycles, and that’s what they are, you can expect to be stopped. You can expect to be fined and you can expect your device to possibly be seized.”
If you have information for police, contact Policelink by providing information using the online suspicious activity form 24hrs per day at www.police.qld.gov.au/reporting.
Report crime information anonymously via Crime Stoppers. Call 1800 333 000 or report online at www.crimestoppersqld.com.au.
