AN UNLICENSED driver has been caught allegedly travelling more than 60km/h over the speed limit on North Stradbroke Island ahead of the Easter long weekend.
It comes as a road safety campaign begins across the state, with police warning they will be out in force over the coming weeks in a bid to reduce serious and fatal crashes.
Police were patrolling East Coast Road yesterday afternoon at 4.05pm when the 23-year-old Highgate Hill man, driving a Holden sedan, was picked up by a mobile radar travelling at 143km/h in an 80km/h zone.
He has been issued a notice to appear in court for high range speeding and unlicensed driving.
Sergeant Darren Scanlan said the incident had the potential to end in disaster.
"Officers described the vehicle as floating as it came over the crest of a hill," he said.
"This is a ridiculous speed. The road was wet, undulating and there is also wildlife to contend with."
- Also read: Dunwich man remanded in custody on domestic violence charge. Teenager fined $800 after police clash at Stradbroke Island Hotel.
- Also read: Scenic Rim, Logan and the Redlands to see more rain over the Easter break
- Also read: North Stradbroke Island police renew road safety calls, prepare for schoolies
Assistant Commissioner Ben Marcus said motorists could expect to see police anywhere, anytime over the Easter and school holiday period.
Marked and unmarked vehicles would be a part of high visibility operations aimed at clamping down on the fatal five, which includes speeding and drink/drug driving.
The road safety campaign would run until April 18.
"Whether you are on a suburban street, a beach somewhere, or a highway, police will be out in force ... because we have to do whatever we can to stop people being killed on our roads," Assistant Commissioner Marcus said.
A total of 74 lives have been lost on Queensland roads during the first three months of this year, with the death toll on track to reach its highest total in a decade.
"The lives lost on Queensland roads this year are startling," he said.
"We have 26 more lives lost this year than the same time last year and we are coming into the Easter peak road time in Queensland."
RACQ are warning traffic could be worse than usual this afternoon, as people hit the road after the greater Brisbane lockdown was lifted at noon.
Delays and congestion are expected for the Pacific Motorway, Bruce Highway and Gateway Motorway.
"Usually, people heading away for the long weekend stagger are able to stagger their journey times over Wednesday and Thursday to avoid getting caught in peak hour gridlock but this year that's been condensed to one afternoon," RACQ spokeswoman Lauren Ritchie said.
"We say it every year, but please be patient and allow extra time, because the roads will be busier than usual.
"Greater Brisbane residents worked together to ensure Easter went ahead and now that it is, we want everyone to get to their destination safely and enjoy their long weekend without any tragedies."
Read more local news here.
