TASMANIA Police have slammed dangerous drivers after new figures revealed speeding offences had increased 35 per cent and high-risk traffic hooning had risen by more than a third. As a result police have clamped or confiscated nearly 450 cars since July, up from 390 two years ago. Deputy Commissioner Scott Tilyard said it was disappointing that so many drivers were getting caught speeding. "Excessive speed is still the single largest contributor to fatal and serious injury crashes," he said on Wednesday. "It is disappointing that police detect so many drivers exceeding the speed limit but we make no excuses for doing our job to make our roads safer for everyone." Total speeding infringements have increased from 22,450 to 30,400 in the two years to February. At the same time the number of drivers caught speeding between 15km/h and 30km/h over the posted speed limit has gone from 7320 to more than 11,000. Nearly 70 motorists have had their vehicles clamped or confiscated for travelling more than 45km/h over the speed limit since July. High-risk traffic offences, which include excessive speeding, using a mobile phone, not wearing a seatbelt, dangerous and reckless driving and being under the influence, have also skyrocketed. High-risk offences went from 13,730 to 18,600 between February 2013 and February this year, according to the latest police data. Northern Tasmania has landed the dubious honour of having more drug-drivers caught than than drink-drivers. Since July 464 drug-drivers have been nabbed compared with 412 drink-drivers. In the South drunks behind the steering wheel outpaced drug-affected motorists three-to-one. Statewide 1082 drug-drivers have been busted since July compared with 376 during the same time last year. The nearly threefold increase reflects the greater focus police are placing on catching drug-drivers. "We want to enhance the perception that there's a likelihood of being tested for alcohol or drugs, and that to drive having consumed excessive amounts is just not worth the risk," Mr Tilyard said. Road Safety Advisory Council chairman Jim Cox said motorists needed to be aware of the consequences that dangerous driving can have. "There are always going to be those that think they're above the law," Mr Cox said. "The majority of Tasmanian motorists are very good but there is a small element that aren't." Mr Tilyard said police were implementing a Rural Road Policing strategy to guide enforcement activities because a significant number of fatal and serious injury crashes occurred on these roads. Over the past five years, 41 per cent of deaths and injuries on Tasmanian roads have occurred in 100km/h zones on typically rural roads, a higher proportion than for any other speed zone.
TASMANIA Police have slammed dangerous drivers after new figures revealed speeding offences had increased 35 per cent and high-risk traffic hooning had risen by more than a third.
As a result police have clamped or confiscated nearly 450 cars since July, up from 390 two years ago.
Deputy Commissioner Scott Tilyard said it was disappointing that so many drivers were getting caught speeding.
"Excessive speed is still the single largest contributor to fatal and serious injury crashes," he said on Wednesday.
"It is disappointing that police detect so many drivers exceeding the speed limit but we make no excuses for doing our job to make our roads safer for everyone."
Total speeding infringements have increased from 22,450 to 30,400 in the two years to February.
At the same time the number of drivers caught speeding between 15km/h and 30km/h over the posted speed limit has gone from 7320 to more than 11,000.
Nearly 70 motorists have had their vehicles clamped or confiscated for travelling more than 45km/h over the speed limit since July.
High-risk traffic offences, which include excessive speeding, using a mobile phone, not wearing a seatbelt, dangerous and reckless driving and being under the influence, have also skyrocketed.
High-risk offences went from 13,730 to 18,600 between February 2013 and February this year, according to the latest police data.
Northern Tasmania has landed the dubious honour of having more drug-drivers caught than than drink-drivers.
Since July 464 drug-drivers have been nabbed compared with 412 drink-drivers.
In the South drunks behind the steering wheel outpaced drug-affected motorists three-to-one.
Statewide 1082 drug-drivers have been busted since July compared with 376 during the same time last year.
The nearly threefold increase reflects the greater focus police are placing on catching drug-drivers.
"We want to enhance the perception that there's a likelihood of being tested for alcohol or drugs, and that to drive having consumed excessive amounts is just not worth the risk," Mr Tilyard said.
Road Safety Advisory Council chairman Jim Cox said motorists needed to be aware of the consequences that dangerous driving can have.
"There are always going to be those that think they're above the law," Mr Cox said.
"The majority of Tasmanian motorists are very good but there is a small element that aren't."
Mr Tilyard said police were implementing a Rural Road Policing strategy to guide enforcement activities because a significant number of fatal and serious injury crashes occurred on these roads.
Over the past five years, 41 per cent of deaths and injuries on Tasmanian roads have occurred in 100km/h zones on typically rural roads, a higher proportion than for any other speed zone.
