BRISBANE, Queensland, Aug. 19 -- The Queensland Department of the Premier and Cabinet issued text of the following statement:

Minister for Police and Emergency Services

The Honourable Dan Purdie

* Wide Bay police have issuedmore than5,000 traffic infringement notices as part of major road safety operations targeting dangerousdrivingbehaviours across the district, to restore safety where you live. * 35 non-compliant e-mobility devices seized in the Wide Bay Burnett district as part of theCrisafulli Government's nation-leading e-mobility crackdown. * The Wide Bay Burnett district has welcomed 87 new police since theCrisafulli Government was elected, strengthening the frontline, after the former Labor Government failed to support police which led to them leaving the service.

The Crisafulli Government ismaking Queensland roads and footpaths safer withmore than5,000 trafficinfringementnotices issuedas part of two major policing operations in the Wide Bay Burnett district.

Operation Interpose- a coordinated road policing operation targeting high-risk drivingbehaviours across Queensland - saw Wide Bay Police conduct 60,477 random breath tests, detecting 326 drivers over the legal alcohol limit, since launching on 25 April.

Operation Surety - as part of the Crisafulli Government's nation-leading e-mobility laws - has also seen 193 traffic infringement notices issued and 35 non-compliant devices seized in the Wide Bay Burnett district alone.

After Labor spent a decade allowing illegal high-powered devices to proliferate, the Crisafulli Government has delivered the toughest e-mobility laws in the nation - reforms the former Labor Government voted against.

Labor left police ill-equipped to enforce regulations, while they introduced a botched subsidy scheme, wasting $2 million in taxpayers' money, andturned a blind eye tothe rise of illegal high-powered devices.

The Crisafulli Government is also delivering more police to the frontline to restore safety where you live, with the largest police workforce in Queensland's history now in force, including 87 new police in the Wide Bay Burnett region.

The results come as Queensland marks Road Safety Week, highlighting theimportant rolepolice and all motorists play in keeping other road users and pedestrians safe.

Today'sresultscome as police in the Wide Bay Burnett district launchDrive to Thrive- a virtual reality resource aimed at educating students about road safety following a $36,281 investment by the Queensland Police Service and Transport and Main Roads.

Minister for Police and Emergency Services Dan Purdie saidthe Crisafulli Government was making Queensland safer.

"The Crisafulli Government is delivering the fresh start Queenslanders voted for after a decade of inaction under Labor with thesetwoproactiveoperations justanotherexample of how we are giving our police the laws, resources and support they need to restore safety where you live," Minister Purdie said.

"More police, stronger laws and fewer victims is the promise we made to Queenslanders, and we are delivering on that commitment as we continue to turn the tide on Labor's Youth CrimeCrisis whichresulted in a generation of serious repeat offendersterrorisingQueensland communities including inthe Wide Bay Burnett district.

"Since the October 2024 election, we have delivered 87 new officers tothe Wide Bay Burnettdistrictalonewith police numbers also surging past 13,000 for the first time in Queensland's history."

Member forBurnett Stephen Bennett said road safety was a shared responsibility.

"Our roads connect communities right across the Wide Bay Burnett, and we all have a responsibility to make sure we use them safely," Mr Bennett said.

"It'sgreat to see our local police targeting dangerous behavioursand making sureQueenslanderswho break theroadrules are heldaccountable.

"With 87 new policejoining the Wide Bay Burnett district, our community has more police on the frontline to help keep people safe."

Wide Bay Burnett Police District Officer Superintendent Anne Vogler saidpolice would continue to focus on behaviours that put other road users at risk.

"Speeding, drink and drug driving, driving distracted, not wearing a seatbelt and fatigue feature far too often in serious and fatal crashes," Superintendent Vogler said.

"Enforcement alone will not drive down the road toll - road safety is everyone's responsibility. Every decision you make behind the wheel matters."

"Wide Bay Police are pleading with all road users to please slow down so everyone can make it safely to their destination. You can expect police anywhere, anytime as part of Operation Interpose to mitigate road trauma and deliver safer outcomes for the community."

ENDS

MEDIA CONTACT:Nat Gradwell, 0449 186 116

Disclaimer: Curated by HT Syndication.