Since 26 March, Sunshine Coast police have been performing traffic checks all over the Sunshine Coast District as part of Operation Regain.
Over the past 10 days, police conducted over 5000 roadside breath tests (RBTs).
Senior Sergeant Shane Panoho, the officer-in-charge of Highway Patrol said the results of the operation were disappointing.
“During the operation, over 500 drivers a day have been subjected to a RBT with one in every 80 drivers tested returning a positive reading over the prescribed legal limit,” Senior Sergeant Panoho said.
One of the highest readings recorded for the operation was on Sunday 3 April, when police intercepted a 45-year-old Yandina Creek woman on Eumundi Noosa Road, Eumundi.
The driver was taken to the station for a further test which returned an alleged reading of 0.235 per cent BAC.
The driver was taken to a place of safety and is set to appear in Noosa Magistrates Court on a date to be determined.
Sunshine Coast police issued 184 speeding related infringement notices as part of the operation.
Other frequent infringement notices issued across the period were for defective vehicles, unregistered vehicles and disobeying a stop sign.
The district made 78 arrests with 87 charges in regards to traffic related matters.
Senior Sergeant Panoho said 46 drivers were issued a traffic infringement notice for poor driving behaviours every day during the last 10 days of Operation Regain, placing themselves and all other road users at risk.
Additionally, 316 drivers completed a roadside drug tested (RDT) during the Operation with 76 returning a positive result to a relevant drug being present in their saliva.
This is close to one in every four drivers tested returning a positive result.
“We need you to talk to your loved ones, your mates, your friends about their driving and remind them to drive safely,” Senior Sergeant Panoho said.
While Operation Regain was largely traffic-focused, it assisted officers in locating wanted offenders on warrants and aided other police related matters.
