Spence: top ten “worst” drivers targeted in North Coast Region

Police have compiled separate lists of the top ten “worst” drivers in the Bundaberg, Gympie, Maryborough, Redcliffe, Caboolture and Sunshine Coast districts and are targeting them in an effort to save lives.

Police Minister Judy Spence said the strategy is being trialled in the North Coast Region and is based on an analysis of the area’s crash statistics which shows drivers with poor records are more likely to be involved in fatals.

“In the North Coast Region there were 78 fatalities last year and almost 65% of drivers involved had significant traffic histories.

“And drivers with poor traffic records were involved in six fatal crashes in the region between January 1 and February 21 this year.

“In the case of one fatal truck crash in the Caboolture District, the three drivers involved in the crash collectively had 60 traffic offences recorded.

“And a driver involved in another fatal had 31 traffic offences including seven disqualifications.

“One man who had been imprisoned for disqualified driving was released and soon after was again caught behind the wheel in Bundaberg and charged with his 19^th disqualified driving offence.

“Police have had enough of repeat offenders endangering the lives of other road users.

“Police patrolling in Bundaberg, Gympie, Maryborough, Redcliffe, Caboolture and the Sunshine Coast have separate lists showing the top ten worst drivers for their areas.

“The lists are updated monthly and particularly focus on repeat drink drivers and repeat disqualified drivers.

“The people on these lists have shown a complete disregard for the law and the safety of other road users.

“The evidence in the North Coast Region shows these kinds of drivers are more likely to crash or cause crashes on our roads.

“Only people with extensive traffic histories will end up on these lists … drivers with a few minor blemishes have nothing to fear.

“Other Regions will consider the top ten initiative after the trial,” Ms Spence said.

Acting Inspector Peter Flanders, Regional Traffic Coordinator, North Coast Region, said: “We are committed to apprehending serious traffic offenders.

“In the first two months of this year alone, in the North Coast Region, police have detected 865 drink drivers, 653 unlicensed drivers, and 187 disqualified drivers.

“We will continue the top ten initiative until at least the end of 2008 and will then evaluate its effectiveness,” Acting Inspector Peter Flanders said.

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