Police concerned over driver behaviour M1

Gold Coast Police are concerned by the driving behaviour of some motorists after a number of drink driving offences were detected on the M1 on the Gold Coast over the weekend.

Gold Coast Assistant District Officer Superintendent Ben Hanbidge said the Gold Coast Road Policing Unit has been increasing their patrols along the M1 with disappointing results.

On Saturday night two motorists were intercepted in separate incidents.

The first was around 8.30pm where the vehicle was allegedly detected travelling at 159 kilometres per hour in a 100 speed zone. He was breath tested and allegedly blew 0.162%, which is over three times the legal limit.

In the second incident around 10.10pm a driver allegedly blew .218% (over four times the legal limit) and was driving whilst unlicenced.

Other results include on Saturday a driver allegedly detected travelling at 89 kilometres per hour in a 60 zone who recorded a breath alcohol reading of 0.074%.

On Sunday at 7.30am a driver was allegedly detected travelling at 106 kilometres per hour in a 60 zone with a breath test reading of .131%.

Also on Sunday at 8.36am there was a driver allegedly detected travelling in a 60 kilometre zone doing a speed of 82. The driver also recorded the highest recording of the weekend at allegedly .257% which is five times the legal limit.

“On Saturday night there were two interceptions where drivers were recorded with high alcohol readings,” said Supt Hanbidge.

“In one incident around 8.30pm a driver was allegedly detected travelling at 159 kilometres in a 100 speed zone. He was intercepted by police and allegedly blew .162% which is three times the legal limit.

“On that same night around 10.10pm police noticed a car weaving in and out of traffic. The driver was intercepted and allegedly recorded a reading of .218% which is five times the legal limit. This person was also allegedly unlicensed.”

Other results include Saturday at 7am a driver detected allegedly travelling at 89 kilometres in a 60 zone who recorded a breath test of .074%.

On Sunday at 7.30am a driver detected travelling at allegedly106 kilometres in a 60 zone with a breath test recording of .131%.

Also on Sunday at 8.36am there was a driver allegedly detected travelling in a 60 kilometre zone doing a speed of 82. The driver also recorded the highest recording of the weekend at .257% which is five times the legal limit.

“It is beyond belief that these drivers are putting their lives and the lives of other road users at such risk,” said Supt Hanbidge.

“To act in such an irresponsible way is nothing short of appalling. Not only were most of the drivers under the influence of alcohol they were also significantly speeding which is a recipe for a fatal disaster.

“We are continuing to target motorist in early in the morning as some people are simply not getting the message and are running the gauntlet in the morning, thinking that there will be fewer police on the roads.

“The public can rest assured police will continue to increase our patrols to locate these dangerous drivers and take them off the road. The safety of all road users is paramount.”

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.