Road blitz reveals good, bad, ugly of motorists

A DROP in drug driving offences and mobile phone use behind the wheel has buoyed Tasmania Police this Easter but some motorists continue to take risks on the state’s roads.

Overall, traffic infringements notices are down by about 12 per cent on last year.

The number of random drug and alcohol tests conducted so far during Operation Crossroads 2018, due to end yesterday, was also down.

Forty-one drivers, one more than last year, have so far been charged with drink driving. The number of drivers who returned positive oral fluid tests has fallen, from 64 at this time last year compared to 47 so far this campaign.

“That is encouraging but Tasmania Police would have preferred a larger margin,” Acting Inspector Steve Jones said.

“Over 65 per cent of the notices issued have been cautions — to eligible drivers who have been observed committing offences but are first-time offenders or have relatively good driving records.”

The number of speeders caught is also lower this campaign but some of the offending speeds are of concern.

Ninety-six infringement notices were issued to motorists on Easter Monday includ- ing one to a driver caught travelling at 124km/h in an 80km/h zone at Hagley in the state’s North.

Another was clocked doing 31km/h over the speed limit on the Bass Highway at Buckland on the East Coast.

Any driver caught travelling in excess of the posted speed limit by 30-37km/h can receive a fine of $477 and five dermit points. That penalty is $675 and six dermit points and a three-month disqualification for those driving at 38-44km/h over the speed limit.

Tasmania has recorded one fatal crash this Easter period.

The state’s road toll for the year is 12. It was five at this time last year.