Minister for Police and Minister for Corrective Services the Honourable Mark Ryan MP joined Commissioner Katarina Carroll for the official launch of school holiday road safety campaign, Operation Sierra Cold Snap.
Between Saturday June 27 and Friday July 17, the Queensland Police Service (QPS) will coordinate the state-wide road safety operation with the aim of reducing fatal and serious traffic crashes and improving road safety over the busy school holiday period and into the first week of returning to school.
Commissioner Carroll said with COVID-19 restrictions easing, Queenslanders would be out exploring their state these holidays, but it was important they travelled safely.
“We are in a unique situation where families will be taking advantage of being able to travel further away from home for the school holidays and we expect traffic to increase significantly on our road network,” Commissioner Carroll said.
“If you are travelling on the roads over the coming weeks, you will see a highly visible police presence, as well as roadside drug and alcohol testing and speed camera operations with a focus on those areas where we expect to see an increase in road users.
“Despite the lockdown situation, we have seen too many lives lost on our roads compared to this time last year and a noticeable increase in high speed offences. We ask all road users to drive or ride to the conditions and always consider the consequences of their choices.”
Commissioner Carroll said the operation would reinforce the fatal five factors – fatigue, speeding, drink/drug driving, distraction and seat belt use.
“As people get back out there on the roads, we are encouraging everyone to make safe choices as we know this is how we can stop serious injuries and lives lost on our roads – don’t drive if you are tired, watch your speed, drive to the conditions and avoid distraction.”Minister Ryan said the Queensland Government and the QPS were committed to making roads safer for Queenslanders as they explored their state these school holidays.
“Tourism in Queensland is ‘good to go’ and we know that families are keen to get back out in our great state, but we need them to get there safely,” Minister Ryan said.
“We expect our roads to be busy over this period with state-wide travel now back on the table, except in Biosecurity and Restricted Areas, and I encourage all road users to exercise extreme caution and practise safe driving.
“This operation is to ensure the safety of all road users, so if you see officers out and about or are stopped for a random driver test, know that they have your safety in mind.”
