Tasmania Police are urging motorists to slow down and adhere to posted speed limits after 40 drivers were detected speeding during traffic operations conducted this morning across the Eastern Shore and southern suburbs. Southern Road Policing Services carried out targeted operations in Old Beach, Elderslie, and Kingston, expressing significant concern over the results.

Between 6:30 am and 8:30 am, an operation on the East Derwent Highway, between Otago and Old Beach, identified 19 drivers exceeding the 80 km/h speed limit, Tasmania Police said. Among those caught was a provisional driver travelling at 105 km/h, who will receive a fine of $372 and incur three demerit points. Another driver was detected at 112 km/h, resulting in a $639 fine and five demerit points.

Following this, Southern Road Policing Services conducted a one-hour traffic operation in the 40 km/h school zone on Elderslie Road, outside Brighton School. During this period, 11 drivers were detected speeding, with one driver recorded at 72 km/h in the school zone. This offence carries a fine of $639 and five demerit points, according to Tasmania Police.

A third operation took place on the Huon Highway in Kingston between 7:30 am and 8:30 am. Here, police detected 10 drivers speeding and also intercepted one suspended driver.

Acting Inspector Nick Bowden described the results as “extremely disappointing,” emphasising that such behaviour “put motorists and pedestrians at risk of being killed or seriously injured in crashes on our roads.” He highlighted recent tragic outcomes from crashes, serving as a “very real reminder that we all have a part to play in helping to prevent crashes to keep everyone safe on our roads.”

Acting Inspector Bowden stressed there is “no excuse for speeding, especially in school zones when our most vulnerable members of the community are going to and from school.” He reiterated the police’s message: “slow down and pay attention,” noting that “every death on our roads is one too many, and in the past few days we’ve had four too many people lose their lives.”

For further details, readers are encouraged to refer to the original media release on the Tasmania Police website.