An off-duty police officer caught speeding on the Central Coast was among thousands of drivers issued with infringements and charges statewide over the festive period.
At about 5pm on Monday, December 30, officers attached to Brisbane Water Traffic and Highway Patrol were patrolling Peats Ridge Rd, Somersby, when they detected a motorcycle allegedly travelling at 177km/h in a 110km/h zone.
Police gave chase, with the rider – an off-duty police officer attached to Northern Region – stopped at Tuggerah.
He was issued with a traffic infringement notice for exceed speed over 45km/h
His licence was suspended and an internal review will be conducted.
Police charged hundreds of motorists for speeding, drink driving and other dangerous driving offences during Operation Christmas/New Year 2024, which concluded on January 1.
Double demerit points were in force for the duration of the operation for speeding, mobile phone, seatbelt and motorcycle helmet offences.
The Traffic and Highway Patrol Command, together with local police, patrolled roads across the state, targeting dangerous driving behaviour and risks on the roads – with the aim of preventing injury and death.
During the period, police saw a concerning number of dangerous driving incidents, including excessive speed, high-range drink-driving and reckless driving.
Police issued 9,719 speed infringements, laid 720 drink-driving charges and 1,725 positive roadside drug detections, attended 1,009 major crashes and conducted 438,328 breath tests over the course of operation.
Ten people died in crashes over the period, four more than during the operation last year.
Acting Assistant Commissioner Tracey Chapman, Commander of Traffic and Highway Patrol Command, said she still can’t comprehend why drivers choose to disobey road rules during the festive period.
“We have seen an increase in dangerous drivers, with some of the highest numbers of speeding and drink driving offences being detected during this festive period,” she said.
“Many of these drivers will accuse police of ruining their fun during the Christmas and New Year period, but these drivers have chosen to disobey the road rules, they have chosen to put other motorists at risk.
“Police aren’t going to stop going after these drivers, so it is up to them to change their actions or get caught.
“Over 1700 drivers were detected driving with the presence of drugs in their system, close to 10,000 were speeding.
“These aren’t the numbers we want to see.
“I continue to urge all drivers and passengers that if you see dangerous driving to contact police and keep our roads safe.”
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