Source : Perth Now news
A routine traffic stop outside Brisbane has sparked fresh warnings about road safety, after police allegedly found a man lying beside a fridge protruding from the back of a moving car at Joyner.
Highway Patrol officers pulled over the vehicle during a holiday road safety operation after spotting the rear door partly open, with the appliance and the man’s legs protruding from the back.
Police bodycam footage captured the moment an officer approached the car and told the passenger, “Hey, mate. Okay, can you jump out?”
“We could see your feet,” the officer can be heard saying.
Police said the 46-year-old local man had been travelling beside the fridge in a section of the vehicle not meant for passengers or cargo restraint.
He was issued two infringement notices – a $322 fine for travelling in a part of the vehicle not designed for passengers or goods, and a $1295 fine plus four demerit points for failing to wear a seatbelt.
The 40-year-old Joyner woman driving the vehicle was also fined for proceeding through a red traffic arrow.
She was issued a $690 infringement notice, received three demerit points and was educated by police about the importance of properly securing loads.
Police warned that badly secured cargo can put not only the people inside a vehicle at risk, but everyone else on the road as well.
The incident came as Brisbane officers stepped up enforcement through recent road safety operations.
In the South Brisbane District, police conducted 3680 random breath tests on September 11 and 17.
Across those operations, officers detected 23 drink drivers, issued 97 traffic infringement notices, made 53 arrests or Notices to Appear, and laid 68 charges.
Inspector Mat Kelly said police were also maintaining a strong presence on Moreton Island, where officers were carrying out breath tests and checking vehicle access permits as visitors came off the ferry.
“Police acknowledge that the island is a holiday haven for everyone to enjoy, but it is important for visitors to remember of the dangers associated with drink-driving and that road rules also apply on the beach, Inspector Kelly said.
“From the highways to the suburbs to the beaches, these results and activities highlight the value of sustained, high visibility policing in deterring dangerous driving behaviour and protecting all road users.
“Police will continue high-visibility and covert patrols, and targeted activity focused on dangerous driving behaviours under Operation Spring Break.”
