Monday 20 September 2010

Far North police disappointed with drivers’ attitudes

In partnership with the Cairns District Crime Prevention office, CairnsBlog brings you Crime Stoppers update.


Police in the Far North are disappointed with the number of drink drivers caught in the region since the launch of Operation Spring Break. Acting Superintendent David Tucker is urging motorists to be especially vigilant over the next few weeks and to comply with the road rules.

“Too many people are taking simple risks which will increase the threat of road trauma,” Superintendent Tucker said. “Driving while impaired, affected by alcohol or drugs, is unacceptable at any time, but it is particularly worrisome during the lead into the September school holidays.

“When you are driving you never know if the car nearest to you is an unmarked police car or if your driving behaviour will be reported to police by a member of the community. I encourage all road users to ensure they have adequate rest and to utilise driver reviver sites when travelling long distances."

The following drink driving offences were detected in the Cairns area since Thursday.
  • A 19-year-old Westcourt man was charged with one count of drink driving (BAC) after he allegedly returned a breath alcohol concentration of .078 per cent. The man was intercepted in Upward Street North Cairns around 4am on Thursday. He is due to appear in the Cairns Magistrates Court on September 30.


  • A 36-year-old Clifton Beach man was charged with one count of drink driving (BAC) after he allegedly returned a breath alcohol concentration of .073 per cent. Police intercepted the man in Grove Street, North Cairns at about 7pm on Thursday. He is due to appear in the Cairns Magistrates Court on October 8.

  • A 25-year-old Manoora man was charged with one count of drink driving (BAC) after he allegedly returned a breath alcohol concentration of .074 per cent. Manoora Police intercepted the man at about 9.50pm on Thursday in McCoombe Street, Mooroobool. The man is due to appear in the Cairns Magistrates Court on October 1.

  • A 29-year-old Manoora woman was charged with one count of drink driving (BAC) after she allegedly returned a breath alcohol concentration of .121 per cent. Police intercepted a vehicle at about 10.10pm on Thursday in Grove Street, North Cairns. The woman is due to appear in the in the Cairns Magistrates Court October 8.

  • A 38-year-old Redlynch man was charged with one count of drink driving (BAC) after he allegedly returned a breath alcohol concentration of .066 per cent. Police intercepted a vehicle at about 10pm on Thursday in Grove Street North Cairns. The man is due to appear in the Cairns Magistrates Court on October 8.

  • A 33-year-old Mount Sheridan woman was charged with one count of drink driving (BAC) after she allegedly returned a breath alcohol concentration of .133 per cent. Officers intercepted a vehicle around 2.55am on Friday in Spence Street, Cairns. She is due to appear in the Cairns Magistrates Court in October.

  • A 22-year-old Edmonton man was charged with one count of drink driving (BAC) after he allegedly returned a breath alcohol concentration of .057 per cent. Cairns Traffic Branch officers stopped a vehicle at about 12.50pm on Friday on the Kennedy Highway at Smithfield. The man is due to appear in the Cairns Magistrates Court on October 5.

  • A 20-year-old man Parramatta Park man was charged with one count of drink driving (BAC) after he allegedly returned a breath alcohol concentration of .021 per cent. Officers from Cairns Traffic Branch intercepted a car around 7am on Friday in Arnold Street, Aeroglen. The man is due to appear in the Cairns Magistrates Court in October.

  • A 31-year-old Mareeba man was charged with one count of drink driving (BAC) after he allegedly returned a breath alcohol concentration of .077 per cent. The vehicle was intercepted by Mossman police at about 12.05am on Saturday on the Captain Cook Highway, Mossman. The man is due to appear in the Mossman Magistrates Court in October.

  • A 25-year-old Parramatta Park man was charged with one count of drink driving (BAC) after he allegedly returned a breath alcohol concentration of .057 per cent. Cairns Traffic Branch officers stopped a vehicle around 7pm on Sunday in Pier Point Road, Cairns. The man is due to appear in the Cairns Magistrates Court on October 8.

  • A 22-year-old Edmonton man was charged with one count of drink driving (BAC) after he allegedly returned a breath alcohol concentration of .057% and issued with a traffic infringement notice for allegedly speeding. Police from the Cairns Traffic Branch intercepted a vehicle at about 12.30pm Friday on the Kennedy Highway. The man is due to appear in the Cairns Magistrates Court on October 5.

Anyone with information which could assist police with their investigations should contact Cairns Police on 40307000 or Crime Stoppers anonymously via 1800 333 000 or
Crime Stoppers 24hrs a day.
Crime Stoppers is a charitable community volunteer organisation working in partnership with the Queensland Police Service.

3 comments:

Ms Emu said...

While I agree completely with Superintendent Tucker, drink driving is inexcusable. Late night public transport in Cairns especially Thursday – Sundays need to be addressed. 6 of the 11 quoted live a fair way out of the city where cab fares would start at min $50. 6 of the 11 happened at times when buses would not be running. On Saturday mornings parking meters start at 9am, when getting into town from some of those suburbs mentioned to pick up your car the next day would likely result in a fine as its impossible to get into the city before 9.30am. Personally I tend to get a Hotel room and stay in town, it often works out if not cheaper (thank goodness for locals rates) its definitely easier.

PaulB said...

.07, .074 etc. Its not that long ago that some States considered .08 acceptable. I guess .05. like 60k on a three lane highway, is more lucrative.

williamsandrew said...

Paul B, if you wanted to talk about 'lucrative' and speed camera tolerances, I wouldn't have argued. I fully support the drink driving levels we have now and they don't need to change. Friends of mine have been killed by a drink driver, wait till it happens to you or someone you know. The issue is the late night transport. I refuse to pay for a cab (I live too far out) just so I can go into town and have a couple of drinks. It is not financially viable. I drink at home, drink locally and walk home, or just don't drink at all. I have had coke and water before when I have had to drive. It didn't kill me and I still enjoyed company of my friends. I can drink a bottle of wine (which is 2x 375ml of volume) with a good meal over a 4hour period and walk out being zero alcohol limit. Depends what you drink, how you drink, your metabolism, make sure you eat, and sometimes just get a room if not sure. But financially it is a burden so I limit what I drink or just don't drink at all. Unfortunately there is too much of an ingrained culture in Australia that alcohol is directly proportionate to having a 'good time' which is what fucks this country sometimes.