Latest news with #KeithPreston
7NEWS
08-05-2025
- 7NEWS
Roadies, unbelted kids and smoky cars: Police crack down on reckless beach drivers
Sandstorm isn't just a great song by Darude, it's also the name of a police operation on Queensland's Sunshine Coast that targeted reckless driving at Noosa North Shore and saw almost 300 fines issued. Queensland Police Service (QPS) officers issued 272 traffic infringement notices (TINs) across an eight-day period including the Easter and Labour Day long weekends, with everybody from drug-users to parents with unrestrained children caught up in the operation. A 19-year-old Wynnum West P-plater copped five TINs for a total of $6400 in fines and 16 demerit points, after he was allegedly found to be driving a defective vehicle under the influence of alcohol and – like his two passengers – not wearing a seatbelt. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. A 27-year-old Newtown man was also stung for multiple infringements, receiving eight demerit points and $2200 in fines for drinking alcohol while driving 'in a way that makes unnecessary noise or smoke' and not wearing a seatbelt. A 38-year-old Mooloolaba man was fined for driving his vehicle while a child under the age of four was sitting unrestrained on a passenger's lap, costing him $1209 and four demerit points. Of the 2356 random breath tests conducted as part of Operation Sandstorm, seven yielded positive results. Of the 195 random drug tests conducted, 10 people were found to be driving under the influence of drugs such as cannabis, methamphetamine and cocaine. 'A successful deployment to Noosa North Shore for us is one without crashes or deaths – that's what we count as a good result,' Acting Senior Sergeant Keith Preston said. 'It's disappointing to see so many people continue to have such disregard for the safety of themselves, their passengers and the other road and beach users by driving in a dangerous manner and in dangerous cars. 'It's a privilege to drive on the beach and we need to treat it as we would driving on the road. 'No doubt our presence on the beach, enforcement action and educational engagements corrected the behaviours of many people and provided a safer environment for all people, families and children using the beach.' While driving on the beach isn't allowed in Victoria, there are multiple beaches in Queensland, New South Wales, the Northern Territory, Tasmania and Western Australia where vehicles have access. South Australia is tightening up its laws, though it says it has no intention to ban all vehicles on its beaches. A study by the University of the Sunshine Coast has found 4x4s are causing 'unequivocal serious and widespread damage' to coastal dune ecosystems, with its lead author saying there's no 'safe level' of beach driving. The Queensland Government has previously said it has no plan to ban driving on beaches in the Sunshine State, though the local council in Mackay has banned driving on the foreshore and beach on council-controlled land from Harbour Beach to East Point.
Perth Now
08-05-2025
- Perth Now
Roadies, unbelted kids and smoky cars: Police crack down on reckless beach drivers
Sandstorm isn't just a great song by Darude, it's also the name of a police operation on Queensland's Sunshine Coast that targeted reckless driving at Noosa North Shore and saw almost 300 fines issued. Queensland Police Service (QPS) officers issued 272 traffic infringement notices (TINs) across an eight-day period including the Easter and Labour Day long weekends, with everybody from drug-users to parents with unrestrained children caught up in the operation. A 19-year-old Wynnum West P-plater copped five TINs for a total of $6400 in fines and 16 demerit points, after he was allegedly found to be driving a defective vehicle under the influence of alcohol and – like his two passengers – not wearing a seatbelt. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. Supplied Credit: CarExpert A 27-year-old Newtown man was also stung for multiple infringements, receiving eight demerit points and $2200 in fines for drinking alcohol while driving 'in a way that makes unnecessary noise or smoke' and not wearing a seatbelt. A 38-year-old Mooloolaba man was fined for driving his vehicle while a child under the age of four was sitting unrestrained on a passenger's lap, costing him $1209 and four demerit points. Of the 2356 random breath tests conducted as part of Operation Sandstorm, seven yielded positive results. Of the 195 random drug tests conducted, 10 people were found to be driving under the influence of drugs such as cannabis, methamphetamine and cocaine. Supplied Credit: CarExpert 'A successful deployment to Noosa North Shore for us is one without crashes or deaths – that's what we count as a good result,' Acting Senior Sergeant Keith Preston said. 'It's disappointing to see so many people continue to have such disregard for the safety of themselves, their passengers and the other road and beach users by driving in a dangerous manner and in dangerous cars. 'It's a privilege to drive on the beach and we need to treat it as we would driving on the road. 'No doubt our presence on the beach, enforcement action and educational engagements corrected the behaviours of many people and provided a safer environment for all people, families and children using the beach.' Supplied Credit: CarExpert While driving on the beach isn't allowed in Victoria, there are multiple beaches in Queensland, New South Wales, the Northern Territory, Tasmania and Western Australia where vehicles have access. South Australia is tightening up its laws, though it says it has no intention to ban all vehicles on its beaches. A study by the University of the Sunshine Coast has found 4x4s are causing 'unequivocal serious and widespread damage' to coastal dune ecosystems, with its lead author saying there's no 'safe level' of beach driving. The Queensland Government has previously said it has no plan to ban driving on beaches in the Sunshine State, though the local council in Mackay has banned driving on the foreshore and beach on council-controlled land from Harbour Beach to East Point. MORE: 4x4s causing 'widespread damage' to Australian beaches – studyMORE: A first timer's guide to beach driving
7NEWS
07-05-2025
- 7NEWS
Police issues over 270 fines for drugs, drinking and dangerous driving at beach
A child allegedly riding on an adult's lap in a moving car is among the disturbing incidents uncovered by police during a major crackdown on dangerous beach driving. Queensland Police Service (QPS) has revealed the results of Operation Sandstorm on the Sunshine Coast, which targeted reckless and unsafe driving behaviour on Noosa North Shore over the Easter and Labour Day long weekends. Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today The four-wheel driving beach is legally considered a road under Queensland law, meaning standard road rules apply. Across the two long weekends, officers from Sunshine Coast Police and Highway Patrol conducted high-visibility patrols targeting speeding, drink and drug driving, seatbelt and helmet compliance, and unroadworthy vehicles. More than 270 fines, child on lap sparks outrage In total, police confirmed 2356 random breath tests (RBT), with seven drivers testing positive. A further 195 drug tests were carried out, uncovering 10 drivers under the influence of drugs, including cannabis, meth and cocaine. Officers issued a staggering 272 traffic infringement notices, including fines for unrestrained passengers, mobile phone use, defective vehicles, and failing to wear seatbelts or helmets. One of the most concerning incidents involved a 38-year-old Mooloolaba man, fined $1209 and four demerit points after allegedly driving a car with a child under four years old sitting unrestrained on a passenger's lap. Another offender, a 19-year-old P-plater from Wynnum West, Brisbane, racked up $6400 in fines and 16 demerit points for a raft of offences including driving a defective car under the influence of alcohol — with neither he nor his two passengers wearing seatbelts. A 27-year-old Newtown man was fined $2200 and hit with eight demerit points after allegedly drinking alcohol while driving and creating unnecessary smoke and noise. Police: Driving on the beach is a privilege Sunshine Coast Highway Patrol Officer in Charge Keith Preston said the blitz had achieved its primary goal of preventing serious crashes. 'A successful deployment to Noosa North Shore for us is one without crashes or deaths — that's what we count as a good result,' acting senior sergeant Preston said. But he admitted it was frustrating to see so many still ignoring basic safety laws. 'It's disappointing to see so many people continue to have such disregard for the safety of themselves, their passengers and other beach users,' he said. 'It's a privilege to drive on the beach, and we need to treat it as we would driving on the road.' Police said their enforcement presence, paired with on-the-spot education, likely changed many drivers' behaviour and improved safety for families and children visiting the beach.
