On Monday 16 March 2015 Gold Coast Police conducted Operation North Blue Strike in the Coolangatta area. The operation targeted drink and drug driving in an effort to reduce road trauma.
Gold Coast Police from Coolangatta and Robina teamed up with officers from the Gold Coast Road Policing Unit as well as the Random Drug Testing Unit during this operation.
The Random Drug Testing Unit also utilised drug detection technology to screen drivers for the driving under the influence of drugs.
Sergeant Holland of the Coolangatta Police Station said that we want people to know that police are out there enforcing the laws in relation to drink and drug driving, no matter what day of the week it is. Drivers were reminded that they can be breath tested anywhere at anytime.
“Driving under the influence of any illicit substance can have lethal consequences for all involved,” Sergeant Holland said.
During the operation only one driver was detected with a blood alcohol concentration above the legal limit but 30 Traffic Infringement Notices were issued.
Of concern to police was that a 25 year-old driver with two children in the car tested positive to a drug test. This driver admitted smoking cannabis prior to driving the vehicle. She was also charged with Unlicensed Driving.
Driving whilst under the influence of alcohol or drugs is a considerable contributing factor to fatalities and police will continue to target these types of offences on the Gold Coast.
Anyone with information which could assist with this matter should contact Crime Stoppers anonymously via 1800 333 000 or crimestoppers.com.au 24hrs a day.
Crime Stoppers is a registered charity and community volunteer organisation working in partnership with the Queensland Police Service.
For all non-urgent police reporting or general police inquiries contact Policelink on 131 444 or Policelink.qld.gov.au 24hrs a day.