Queensland Police will step up beachside patrols, particularly from the Noosa North Shore to Double Island Point over the coming weeks.
It’s all part of Operation Sandstorm, which commenced five years ago and targets popular tourist spots across the Sunshine Coast.
The operation covers the school holidays, when traffic volumes are at their peak.
Motorists can expect to see police on the beaches, with high visibility patrols and static random breath and drug test sites.
Acting Superintendent Brad Inskip told Noosa Today: “We want people to have a good time on the beach, we just want them to do it safely.”
“Road safety is going to be a priority for the police, you will see more RBT sites and that will be on the beaches as well.”
The operation aims to improve beachgoer safety by cracking down on speeding, drink/drug driving, unlicensed driving, and defective vehicles.
Last year, Sunshine Coast police, including Highway Patrol, issued more than 270 fines, including to an adult in a moving car allegedly with a child on their lap, as part of Operation Sandstorm.
Police were deployed to Noosa North Shore over the Easter and Labour Day long weekends.
Police conducted 2,356 random breath tests (RBTs) with seven positive results, and 195 random drug tests (RDT) which detected 10 people driving under the influence of drugs including cannabis, methamphetamine and cocaine.
Police issued 272 traffic infringement notices (TIN) for a range of offences including defective vehicles, failing to wear a seatbelt, failing to wear a motorbike helmet and using a mobile phone while driving.
One of the TINs was issued to a 38-year-old Mooloolaba man for allegedly driving a car while a child, under four, was unrestrained and on the lap of a passenger, costing the man $1,209 and four demerit points.
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
