BAROSSA Local Service Area (LSA) police have praised the behaviour of locals and tourists across the long weekend, despite 95 on-the-spot speeding fines handed out in the region.
The Queen’s Birthday public holiday on Monday was the first opportunity for many to leave their homes and travel to regional areas following the lifting of some COVID-19 restrictions state-wide.
It saw more vehicles than normal travelling along the Sturt Highway towards the Riverland, with Barossa LSA having a heavy presence on the road throughout the weekend.
According to Nuriootpa operation manager Senior Sergeant Dave Walker, 95 people were caught speeding across the weekend, but overall road behaviour was better than expected.
“We had a few issues with following too close, failing to keep left in instances of overtaking and dangerous overtaking, but they were few and far between,” he said.
“There was lower-range speed offending, and by lower range I mean still well above what the speed limit is posted at.”
Across the weekend, police ran two concurrent operations – Operation Safe Long Weekend and Operation Stop Drug and Drink Drive.
Two drivers tested positive to drugs behind the wheel across the weekend – one to methamphetamine and another to cannabis.
Senior Sergeant Walker was happy to see a fatality-free long weekend though, despite “idiots” being caught speeding and drug driving.
“Unfortunately, it is par for the course that you’re going to have idiots on the road,” he said.
“To be honest though, particularly travelling to and from the river, the behaviour was actually impressive.
“I know 95 speeding fines and a couple of people driving under the influence might sound a little bit bad. But measured against other weekends it’s not much worse when you consider the traffic we had it was quite impressive.”
The long weekend also saw increased numbers flocking to local pubs and restaurants after relaxed restrictions allowed them to open.
Police were responsible for ensuring venues complied with social distancing requirements across the weekend.
Senior Sergeant Walker said local business owners had been easy to work with when formulating their COVID-19 safety plans and praised patrons for sticking by the rules.
“A number of checks were done over the long weekend and there were no reports,” he said.
“Everyone was compliant with what they were supposed to do. Considering all aspects of the weekend, for people to do the right thing here was a very good sign.”
