Fatality an urgent reminder to drivers

OPERATION Crossroads, Tasmania Police’s continuing reminder for motorists to take care during the Easter holiday period, has taken on renewed urgency following Saturday’s fatal crash at Hagley.

The crash, which involved a motorcycle and a horse float, has cast a cloud over the campaign’s third full day yesterday, after coinciding with several major traffic operations conducted by police in Hobart, Launceston and Devonport. It was this year’s first Easter holiday fatality.

“This now brings the state’s current road toll to 12, compared to five at the same time last year,” Acting Inspector Steve Jones said.

Insp Jones said the latest bad examples of drivers lacking common sense and putting lives at risk included:

A motorist at New Town, intercepted due to a defective headlight, yesterday was found to have been disqualified and returned a blood alcohol reading of 0.174 per cent. It is alleged to have been the driver’s second drink-driving offence in two months.

A driver who was detected hooning at Scottsdale has had a vehicle clamped for 28 days.

A motorist on her way to work returned a blood alcohol reading of 0.061 per cent after entering a high-visibility traffic operation near Devonport.

The number of random drug and alcohol tests conducted by police during the holiday period has risen to 9816, compared with 12,296 at the same stage last year.

Infringement notices for speeding offences stand at 288, compared with 368 last year, and there have been 29 drivers taken off the road for drinkdriving, compared with 31.

“Tasmania Police continues to conduct high-visibility and covert traffic operations in all areas around the state,” Insp Jones said.