Queenslanders have been praised for driving safely over the Christmas break after police recorded a drop in drink driving and traffic accidents causing injury.

December 27, 2019

Police have praised Queenslanders for driving safely during Christmas, with just one death recorded on the state’s roads and a drop in drink driving. 

However, they’re looking ahead to rogue motorists fronting court for their “inexcusable and ridiculous driving”.

“Overall the statistics this year have been quite positive, we’ve seen better results than last year,” Assistant Commissioner Mike Keating said on Friday. 

“But we do have some situations where there’s unexplained behaviour of motorists and we look forward to them explaining their behaviour to a magistrate.”

One of those charged was a male driver allegedly caught driving at 170km/h with a blood alcohol level of 0.10, twice the legal limit. 

“That’s just inexcusable, it’s irresponsible and quite frankly it’s ridiculous behaviour,” Mr Keating said.

One person died on Queensland’s roads between December 23 and Boxing Day. This is down from two deaths during the same period in 2018. 

The number of people injured on the state’s roads has also fallen, down from 101 people last year to 82.

“That’s a real positive but of course we acknowledge the real trauma of people who have been injured and we hope to see them have a speedy recovery,” Mr Keating said.

Drink driving was also down with 38 per cent fewer drivers tested caught behind the wheel with alcohol in their system

But positive roadside drug tests were up by 24 per cent.

Mr Keating said police had also caught some P-platers driving at 40 to 50 kilometres over the speed limit.

“We remind motorists: don’t presume we won’t be there, presume we will be there,” he said.