Tasmania Police target drivers doing wrong thing

Those are the words of Tasmania Police Sergeant Fergus Cameron when he, and his partner Constable Bridget Tyson, took The Examiner on a ride-a-long while they targeted motorists driving unsafely. 

The officers have been in the force for more than 30 years each and have heard every excuse for speeding, but say there is not one that works. 

“My mum always said it’s better to arrive late than dead on time,” Sergeant Cameron said.

While speeding is still an issue, Constable Tyson said there had been a reduction of motorists driving at high speeds during her 30 years. 

“There were really high speeds and they’ve come down because so many more [police] cars have radars fitted to them now,” she said. 

“People are aware that most cars have them and that they have to be doing the speed limit.” 

RELATED IN YOUR HANDS STORIES: 

Whether they’re on the job or off duty, the pair constantly witness people doing the wrong thing on our roads, especially speeding or on their mobile phones. 

“They’re part of the fatal five for a reason. But certainly speed and alcohol, drugs, and inattention are the top three,” Sergeant Cameron said. 

During the hour-long ride-a-long, one motorist was fined for driving 10km/h above the speed limit and a man cautioned for using his mobile phone. 

Constable Tyson even wound down her window and told a young boy to put his arm back through his seatbelt. 

“We could have booked [the boy’s] dad. Wearing it under your arm isn’t proper. The actual legislation says it has to be properly fitted and adjusted,” Sergeant Cameron said.  

“Putting it under your arm is not properly fitted. It will stop you from hinging forward, but it won’t stop you from smashing your head against the steering wheel or breaking your back.

“They are a lap sash belt and are meant to be across two parts of your body.”

In their years of experience, they have witnessed mobile phones and drugs become an issue for the state’s road toll. 

“Drugs have now become a facet that wasn’t there when we first started,” Sergeant Cameron said. 

The pair said motorists know they’re doing the wrong thing, and find their continued behaviour frustrating. 

“You can educate people, but what they do with that advice and information is up to them,” Constable Tyson said. 

Sergeant Cameron said confronting messages were finally starting to get through. 

“They’re working with the reduction in high-speed offences, yes. But, there is still always going to be someone who needs that gentle reminder,” he said. 

“Some people are a bit slow to learn. There is one bloke I’ve booked three times in a similar spot and at a similar time of day.”

Young motorists using a mobile phone while driving is a problem they see daily. 

“Concentration wise, mobile phone use is the biggest issue for young drivers,” Sergeant Cameron said. 

“Stopping at the lights and picking up your phone is using your phone while driving. That is an offence.” 

Inattention and trying to drive outside their capabilities is the biggest cause of fatalities for young drivers, they said.  

“They might be confident in their driving, but they have to remember they don’t know who the person is coming towards them,” Constable Tyson said. 

“You have to be wary of the cars coming toward you and don’t take it for granted that they’re doing the right thing.”

RELATED OPERATION CROSSROADS STORIES: 

When attending a serious crash, Constable Tyson said she just has to “switch off” her emotions. 

“I go there in my ‘work mind’. You deal with the situation as it is. You have to try and not take it into the ‘personal zone’,” she said. 

“Normally the call will come … sometimes from the ambulance and they say they’re on their way to a serious crash and it’s not looking good. 

“You’re driving there with your ‘work mind’ and you’re thinking what roads you can close, how you’re going to deal with the traffic flow and preserve your scenes.” 

Sergeant Cameron said emergency services had support networks to help them through traumatic situations. 

“But, I think if you know what you’re going to then you do have a bit of time to prepare yourself. If there is a serious crash, you’re told beforehand.” 

The Examiner is collaborating with Tasmania Police for the In Your Hands road safety campaign, to encourage road users to drive safely this holiday season.