Coolum police breathalyse more than 400 motorists in one day

?Sergeant Joel Bryant of the Coolum Police Station said police will be out and about these school holidays.

Sunshine Coast police breathalysed more than 400 motorists on the Sunshine Coast on Thursday 30 November, as part of Operation Bandit.

Officers set up a static roadside breath test site along Quanda Road in the Coolum industrial estate, issuing eight traffic infringement notices (TINs) during the operation.

Of those infringement notices, one 59-year-old Coolum Beach man was charged with driving almost double the general alcohol limit (0.096).

A 44-year-old Coolum Beach man was charged with driving while a relevant drug is in their blood or saliva.

A 46-year-old Caloundra man was charged with driving a motor vehicle without a drivers licence.

Notices to Appear (NTA) were issued for driving under the influence of liquor, for drug driving and one for unlicensed driving.

Throughout 2022 and 2023, there have been more than 60 traffic crashes involving injuries in the Coolum division, one tragically resulting in fatality.

Sergeant Joel Bryant of the Coolum Police Station said police will be out and about these school holidays, ensuring everyone abides by the road rules.

“We want all road users to survive the drive and get home safely,” Sergeant Bryant said.

“There will be an increase in vehicle intercepts, roadside breath and drug testing and enforcement activities by police between now and the New Year festive period.”