Cops spring into operation

POLICE are helping motorists to stay safe on the roads these school holidays with the launch of Operation Spring Break 2016.
The state-wide initiative for the September and October school holidays is aimed at reducing the number of serious injuries and fatal traffic crashes.
The operation that has already started will run until 6 October with an aim of directing community attention to offences related to speeding, impaired driving, seatbelts, fatigue, distracted driving, defective vehicles and other road-related offences.
Noosa Heads acting officer-in-charge Senior Sergeant Peter Feldman said local officers were already busy focusing on traffic patrols, and urged motorists to drive with care especially during the holidays when there was an influx of visitors on the roads.
Police Minister Bill Byrne said one fatality this school holiday was one fatality too many.
“The September school holidays are traditionally a busy time on the road … with an increase in vehicles on the roads, there is a potential risk for there to be an increase in traffic accidents,” he said.
Police Commissioner Ian Stewart said police were targeting traffic offences in Queensland to make roads safer for everyone.
“Across these school holidays, police will maintain a highly visible presence on Queensland’s highways and roads,” he said.
During last year’s operation, police detected 1083 drink drivers and issued more than 1150 infringement notices for the use of mobile phones.
Drivers are urged not to drive tired, drink drive or be inhibited by drugs. They are expected to stick to the speed limit, wear their seatbelt, take a break every two hours and give their full attention to the road when driving.