High-Speed and Drink-Driving Charges Laid After Bruce Highway Intercepts

Police have charged two men following separate high-speed traffic intercepts on the Bruce Highway north of Townsville.

Officers from Townsville Highway Patrol intercepted a white Toyota Yaris on the Bruce Highway at Inkerman around 11am on 17 January.
Police allege the vehicle, driven by a 21-year-old Cairns City man, was travelling at 157km/h in a 100km/h zone.

The driver was issued with a traffic infringement notice for exceeding the speed limit by more than 40km/h, fined $1,919, and received eight demerit points.

About 30 minutes later, police intercepted a red Suzuki Swift on the Bruce Highway at Guthalungra. It is alleged the driver, a 53-year-old Craiglie man, was travelling at 148km/h in a 100km/h zone and returned a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.111.

The man was issued an immediate licence suspension and charged with one count of driving a motor vehicle while over the middle alcohol limit. He was also fined $1,919 and received eight demerit points for high-range speeding.

Townsville Highway Patrol Acting Senior Sergeant Nathan Ivey said the incidents could have had devastating consequences.

"Speeding or driving while impaired by alcohol or drugs significantly reduces a driver's ability to judge distance, speed and road conditions," Acting Senior Sergeant Ivey said.

"Road safety is a shared responsibility, and every driver has a duty to ensure they, and others, make it home safely."

Queensland Police Service continues to urge motorists to drive to the conditions, obey speed limits and never get behind the wheel while impaired.