FRASER Coast police are urging all road-users to follow the rules of the road and ensure their bikes and vehicles meet the necessary safety standards.
The comment comes after a recent spate of traffic-related infringements – including multiple alleged drink and drug driving incidents – on local roads.
In the latest blitz, officers from the Highway Patrol Unit conducted an operation targeting motorbike rider safety in Hervey Bay on Sunday, February 13.
Police spokesperson Senior Constable Melanie Ryan said most riders were seen wearing the necessary protective gear and doing the right thing, but some were busted for allegedly flouting the rules.
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Snr Cst. Ryan said more than a dozen riders were intercepted by police during the course of the afternoon – including two who allegedly returned positive tests for drugs.
The two Hervey Bay men, aged 35 and 59 respectively, are due in the Hervey Bay Magistrates Court on April 13.
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The first rider was intercepted in Blaxland Road, Urraween while the second was intercepted along Maryborough-Hervey Bay Road, also in Urraween.
Snr Cst. Ryan said traffic infringement notices were also issued to other road users for riding defective vehicles, including smooth tyres.
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She reminded all road users that road safety is everyone’s responsibility.
“Please ensure you ride to the conditions, do not ride under the influence of alcohol or drugs and check your motorcycle complies with safety standards.”
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Meanwhile, eight alleged drink drivers were nabbed across the Fraser Coast over the weekend.
Police said motorists were intercepted in Hervey Bay, Maryborough and Howard.
More than 20 traffic infringements were also issued in a 24-hour period last week.
Infringement notices were issued for speeding, driving without due care, defective vehicle and smoking in a vehicle with children under the age of 16, among other things.
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The incidents come after four alleged drink drivers were pulled over in Hervey Bay, Howard and Maryborough earlier this month.
Among the drivers was a 63-year-old Hervey Bay man who allegedly blew four times the legal limit on the Pialba-Burrum Heads Road near Beelbi Creek on February 3.
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It’s understood he has been charged with alleged high range drink driving.
The man due to appear in the Hervey Bay Magistrates Court on April 23.
NOTE FROM THE EDITOR: This article was updated to reflect more traffic infringements across the region in February 2022. Why is it considered good news? Good News Fraser Coast is passionate about road safety and improving the quality of our road networks. While we don’t want to report in traffic transgressions, action taken by police has seen alleged drink and drug drivers being issued with court dates. The good work done by police in this regard also needs to be shared and celebrated. Like authorities say, “road safety is everyone’s responsibility.”
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