MR WETTENHALL asked the Minister for Police, Corrective Services and Emergency Services (MR ROBERTS)-
Will the Minister outline what road safety programs and initiatives the Queensland Police Service undertakes in far north Queensland, alone and in partnership with other agencies and organisations?
ANSWER:
I thank the Member for Barron River for his question and his genuine and strong interest in road safety, both across the state and in far north Queensland.

It was at the request of the Member that I joined with the Minister for Transport and Minister for Main Roads to attend the Cairns Road Safety Summit recently.

The purpose of the summit was to raise awareness of road safety issues among residents in far north Queensland and to generate discussion and ideas about how to reduce the incidence and severity of road trauma on Queensland roads.

The Bligh Government and Queensland Police Service share the concerns of the Member and the wider community about the recent increase in road fatalities in far north Queensland.

This Government is committed to working in partnership with all relevant
stakeholders to address those concerns, and the Road Safety Summit was one approach which engaged stakeholders and increased awareness of a wide range of road safety issues.

In the Far Northern Police Region, a range of strategies have been implemented, with the aim of reducing the road toll, and associated road trauma, in far north Queensland communities.

High-visibility traffic enforcement policing is promoted in urban and remote areas of the Region. For example, Operation Frequent has been implemented to achieve maximum exposure of police performing traffic duties at times and dates identified by intelligence as being high-risk.

In addition to enforcement, the Region utilises the media to communicate road safety messages aimed at encouraging road users to obey the road rules.

There are three police districts within the Region and each has developed and implemented road safety initiatives that address the unique policing needs of the area within the district boundaries.

For example, the Cairns District has introduced strategies and targeted operations to address:

• motorcycle rider behaviour on the Captain Cook Highway between Cairns and Mossman;
• ?intelligence-based Random Breath Testing in the Cairns CBD and surrounds during peak ‘alcohol' times; and
• ?high-visibility policing across the Cairns District.

The Innisfail District has implemented strategies and operations focusing on:

• ?Automatic Number Plate Recognition technology in localised operations and operations with Queensland Transport inspectors addressing vehicle roadworthiness compliance and fatigue management;
• high-visibility traffic policing on the Bruce Highway with emphasis on heavy vehicle compliance;
• ?road safety awareness programs for young drivers in schools; and
• ?rail level-crossing enforcement.

The Mareeba District's operational focus includes:

• ?focus on convicted persons driving from court;
• targeted enforcement within the District's ‘top ten' crash zones;
• ?heavy vehicle compliance in remote areas;
• ?intelligence-based speed camera operations; and
• ?rail level-crossing enforcement.

The Region has also established productive partnerships with various government and external agencies to enhance road safety.

For example, the Region engages with the Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads in areas such as the Speed Management Program and the Northern Region Road Safety Executive Steering
Committee.

This Committee assists in developing the Northern Road Safety Action Plan
through a collaborative process that involves the major Queensland Road Safety Alliance partners and other key stakeholders working together in a practical manner towards improving road safety outcomes in North Queensland.

The Region also works closely with Local Government through Traffic Advisory Committees and with numerous community groups committed to reducing road trauma on the Region's roads.