Operation Navigate: Ipswich
In the lead up to Christmas, it is timely for the community to remember that drinking and driving do not mix.
Ipswich police charged 18 people with drink and drug driving offences following Operation Navigate at the weekend. Four people out of the 18 charged returned a reading higher than 0.15 percent. These people were all suspended for the mandatory 24 hour period.
Conducted on Friday and Saturday night, Operation Navigate focused on the Ipswich district and involved 12 officers.
Inspector Keith McDonald said 481 drivers underwent a random breath test and over 20 people were charged for various offences.
‘ The highest readings were recorded by a 38-year-old male with a blood alcohol reading of 0.213 per cent while a 28-year-old woman recorded a blood alcohol reading of 0.195%,’ he said.
“Ipswich district police wish to remind the community to observe all the road rules because we will be out in force.
We will continue to focus on road safety over the Christmas and New Year period. Operations will continue.
What is concerning is that recently we arrested a 24 yo male, who was also disqualified from driving, for drink driving. This male recorded a blood alcohol reading of 0.312%. Further we intercepted a male person last Saturday for driving at a speed of 154km/hr in a 100km/hr zone at Warrill View and today a silver Ford was detected at 106kms/hr in a 60km/hr zone on Brisbane Road, Newtown.
The concerning factors for Police are the number of people who continue to drink and drive, some with quite large readings and others who continue to speed. The messages just don’t seem to be getting through to people. I would like to thank all the officers involved in Operation Navigate,” he said.
Summary of offences:
• 17 x drink drivers – (4 UIL, 4 mid range (0.100% – 0.149%), 7 General Limit, 1 Low Range)
• One Drug Driver (from 8 tests)
• Five Unlicensed Drivers,
• One vehicle was impounded for 90 days
• 48 x Traffic Infringement Notices;
If you have information for police, contact Policelink by providing information using the online suspicious activity form 24hrs per day at www.police.qld.gov.au/reporting.
Report crime information anonymously via Crime Stoppers. Call 1800 333 000 or report online at www.crimestoppersqld.com.au.
