POLICE have been blitzing the local roads as part of a state-wide effort to reduce road trauma this coming Easter holiday.
Operation North Key is a month-long traffic operation that will run until 31 March.
As part of the operation, local police patrolled Noosa and surrounds for a 24-hour period on St Patrick’s Day, 17 March.
Throughout the day, 236 random breath tests were carried out with two people charged with drink driving, one person charged with drug driving, 36 speeding tickets were issued and two vehicles were deemed defective.
Other changes included two public nuisance offences, one resist arrest and two move on notices, plus driving without a seatbelt and using a mobile phone while driving.
Noosa Heads officer in charge Senior Sergeant Steve McReight said motorists were warned there would be more traffic operations.
“Our aim is to reduce drink driving and road trauma on our roads,” he said.
“We will be using mobile radar units, increased patrols, random breath testing and high visibility breath testing sites,” he said.
Police in holiday safety push
LOCAL police are urging people to be smart and secure their homes before heading off on holidays this Easter.
Sen Sgt McReight said people needed to remember to do the small, but important things, when preparing to go on holidays.
“Cancel the paper delivery and have the neighbour bring in your mail,” he said.
“An unattended home is an easy target for criminals.”
Other tips include using timers for lights and lamps, a radio tuned to a talkback station can give the impression of someone being home, have someone take your bins out even if they’re empty, turn down the volume of your home phone, and have a neighbour park their car in your driveway every now and then.
For more safety tips, visit www.police.qld.gov.au and search Safety in the House.