A man was fined for driving on a Queensland beach while his passenger held a young child on their lap without a seatbelt, one of many drivers penalized during a recent police crackdown.
State authorities focused on beaches in the Noosa area during the Easter and Labour Day long weekends.
Known as Operation Sandstorm, the police initiative led to 272 fines for speeding, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and operating defective vehicles over an eight-day period.
Particular concern was raised by the discovery that 26 drivers were not using seatbelts. One incident involved a 38-year-old man from the Sunshine Coast who was fined $1,200 and received four demerit points for allowing a child under four years old to sit on his passenger’s lap.
Acting Senior Sergeant Keith Preston expressed his disappointment, stating, “The risk to people’s lives because of that is awful. In a crash, the likelihood of severe injuries or death is enormous.”
A 19-year-old P-plater also faced a fine of $6,400 and 16 demerit points for allegedly driving a defective vehicle while intoxicated, and with two unbelted passengers.
Meanwhile, a 27-year-old man from Newtown was fined $2,200 and given eight demerit points after being caught drinking and driving without a seatbelt. Police noted he was in an area frequented by young families using the beach.
During the operation, over 2,300 random breath tests were conducted, with seven positive results, and 195 random drug tests, leading to 10 drivers being caught under the influence of illicit drugs.
Acting Senior Sergeant Preston remarked that the numbers were concerning, particularly in cases where young drivers on provisional licences were over the alcohol limit, driving without seatbelts, and carrying unrestrained passengers.
“The risk of things going wrong is immense,” he said.
Police expressed ongoing concerns about the reckless behavior observed on beaches, especially by inexperienced drivers.
Senior Sergeant Preston emphasized that the rules for driving on beaches are the same as those on designated roads, warning, “When people make poor decisions on the beach, the consequences can be disastrous.”
He explained that higher-risk vehicles like four-wheel drives are more prone to rolling, and unrestrained passengers are at an even greater risk of injury or being ejected in a crash.
Authorities confirmed they would continue to target dangerous driving on Queensland’s beaches.
