POLICE have praised the on-road behaviour of locals over the Australia Day long weekend and throughout the Tour Down Under.
A state-wide police road-safety operation “long weekend” was held last weekend, with Barossa Local Service Area (LSA) police ramping up drug and alcohol testing and speed detection duties across the three days.
Of the 484 blood-alcohol and drug tests undertaken in the Barossa LSA during that period, only one person was detected driving above the 0.05 alcohol limit and two people were found to be under the influence of drugs.
Officer in charge of the Barossa LSA chief inspector Shane Addison said police were pleased to see a safe long weekend on our roads, but lamented more than 30 speeding detections across the weekend.
“We reported no fatal accidents or serious road accidents over the weekend, which was an outstanding result,” he said.
“It’s still disappointing that we still have those three people (who were caught drink or drug driving), but I think it’s a reflection of the public having taken the message on board, in the general sense, and doing the right thing.”
“It is unfortunate over the long weekend we still did get some detections. There were some other poor road behaviour over that time too, with 32 people detected by local police for speeding related offences.
“It’s not all good news, there are still those who continue to put themselves and other members of the public at risk with their poor driving behaviour.”
The Tour Down Under a fortnight ago also saw a high police presence as they sought to keep the peace between cyclists and motorists.
Again, chief inspector Addison was pleased with locals’ behaviour during what can be a difficult time for police.
“I’m very pleased to say that the general road behaviour of both cyclists and the general public was exceptional on the day and the whole thing went off very well,” he said.
“We had very few reports of any form of accidents or collisions involving anyone at all, cyclists including.
“We’re very happy with all road users and the tolerance which was shown during that period.”