Police urge caution as Burdekin school zones return

Police are urging Burdekin motorists to slow down and stay alert as students return to school this week, with increased patrols targeting dangerous driving across the region. Photo source: QPS

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Police are urging Burdekin motorists to slow down and stay alert as students return to school this week, with increased patrols targeting dangerous driving across the region.

The warning comes as the Queensland Police Service enters the final stretch of its statewide Easter road safety operation, with officers maintaining a visible presence on local roads during the busy back-to-school period.

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Drivers can expect a stronger focus on school zones, with police reminding motorists to obey reduced speed limits and watch for children, cyclists and pedestrians during peak drop-off and pick-up times.

Statewide figures from the holiday crackdown, recorded 3 and 16 April, highlight ongoing concerns, with more than 10,600 traffic infringement notices issued, including about 4,000 for speeding. Police also conducted more than 75,000 roadside breath tests and 1,800 drug tests, detecting over 1,200 impaired drivers.

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In the Northern Queensland region, which includes the Burdekin, a total of 512 traffic infringements were recorded—the lowest of any region—with 212 related to speeding. Police conducted more than 5,000 roadside breath tests, detecting 59 drink driving offences, along with 29 drug driving offences from 62 roadside drug tests.

Emergency Response and Coordination Command Assistant Commissioner Rhys Wildman said increased enforcement was critical in reducing risky behaviour on the roads.

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“Every decision made behind the wheel matters,” he said.

“With more children back in school zones this week, we’re asking drivers to slow down, stay focused and drive to the conditions.”

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Police say patrols will continue throughout the week, with road safety a shared responsibility for all motorists.

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