QLD RBT Pullover Time to Double

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Queensland police to raise scrutiny at random breath tests

by: Thomas Chamberlin
From: The Courier-Mail
January 11, 2013 12:00AM
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MOTORISTS could be delayed as police double the time spent on RBTs to crack down on dangerous and faulty vehicles, out-of-date registrations, drug-driving, trafficking and organised crime.

The Courier-Mail can reveal officers will go "beyond the blow", spending extra time scouring cars and licences and talking to drivers.

Police are calling it a public relations drive but it could backfire if motorists feel they are being unfairly delayed and grilled.

One of the state's most senior traffic officers has defended the move.

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"It's an opportunity just not to produce a figure, it's an opportunity to engage and look for criminality and traffic offences," State Traffic Support Branch acting Superintendent Paul Fogg said.



Even if one per cent gave up some information, that is a lot of crimes that could be solved.

"It may be drugs, stolen property or vehicles, even to the point where there might be a child in distress."

It is believed officers will move from an average 45 seconds with each driver to up to 90 seconds.

Two new drug vans will also hit the roads to catch rogue drivers high at the wheel, increasing capabilities by 20 per cent. It comes as a major service shake-up will overhaul police commands and as more than three million people are breathalysed on Queensland roads every year.

Acting Supt Fogg stressed there were no set timeframes for RBTs and estimated lengthier checks would last up to four minutes as the new initiatives were rolled out.

In the past year, routine RBTs and traffic stops have helped score a number of big drug busts for police.

This includes the arrest of Arian Shabanzadeh, of West End, who was charged with drug trafficking, possession of weapons, restricted items and drugs.

Police will allege they found $4.1m in suitcases in storage, 2.1kg of cocaine and 2.8kg of methylamphetamine after the motorcyclist was stopped by police in October.

Peak motoring body RACQ has backed the longer RBTs.

"With road safety you've always got to look past any cynical thoughts, you've got to think about what is the benefit whether it be random roadside checks or working closely with motorists and educating them," RACQ executive manager of technical and safety policy Steve Spalding said.
http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/q...-1226551467081