Almost 50 motorists were detected, with five charged for allegedly disqualified driving away from court, during a one-day traffic operation in Richlands aimed at disqualified or unlicensed drivers.
“Operation Romeo Drawbridge” was conducted on 20 February 2019 by officers from the Mt Ommaney Road Policing Unit, along with general duties officers.
“The operation emphasises our message to drivers that police will be actively enforcing road rules anywhere at anytime,” Road Policing Command Superintendent David Johnson said.
Several other offences were found during the operation: disqualified driving (5), drug driving (4), unregistered / uninsured (1), traffic infringement notices for various matters (39), unlicensed driving (1), possession of drugs (1).
“Drivers must realise that they have a responsibility for not just their own safety or the passengers in the vehicle but for every other road user.
“It was certainly disappointing to see drivers still ignoring the Fatal Five and getting behind the wheel of a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or illicit substances, not wearing a seatbelt or speeding,” Superintendent Johnson said.
According to Department of Transport and Main Roads website, a Queensland (or non-Queensland) driver licence will be suspended for a stated period when you have:
- not paid any fines imposed by a court (State Penalties Enforcement Registry)
- gained too many demerit points on your traffic history
- been convicted of driving more than 40km/h over the speed limit.
If your driver licence is suspended and you drive a motor vehicle in Queensland, you will charged in court for unlicensed driving. If found guilty, you will be disqualified from holding a driver licence for at least 1 month, and up to a maximum of 6 months. You may also receive a maximum fine or be imprisoned for up to 1 year.
On the other hand, a person could be disqualified from holding a driver licence for stated period by Australian court if convicted of drink or drug driving offence, dangerous driving offence, or a criminal offence involving the driving or use of a motor vehicle.
Motorists driving a vehicle in Queensland while disqualified from holding a driver licence will be dealt with by a court for disqualified driving. If found guilty, court will disqualify offending driver from holding a driver licence for an additional period of at least 2 years – up to a maximum of 5 years. The convicted driver may also receive a maximum fine or be imprisoned for up to 18 months.