Boaties and jet ski riders fined during Operation River Safe

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Police have fined at least six river users for breaking the rules over the Christmas and new year period as part of their annual Operation River Safe.

Officers from SA Police’s water operations unit have been patrolling the River Murray regularly since the operation began on December 19.

Over the following weekend, they picked up four river users for breaching safety regulations, and two jet ski riders for not having a licence – including a 14-year-old boy who was carrying a 15-year-old pillion passenger.

A seventh person, a 39-year-old Elizabeth East man, may yet be penalised after he allegedly tested positive for cannabis while operating a boat.

Police urged all boat operators and river users to respect the river and abide by safety rules, for their own good and that of everyone else in and around the water.

In particular focus are men, who make up more than 80 per cent of drowning victims, according to Royal Life Saving Australia; and alcohol use, which is a significant factor in many drownings.

Operation River Safe will run throughout the summer.

• Report unsafe behaviour: 131 444.
• More information: Visit www.royallifesaving.com.au or marinesafety.sa.gov.au; or hear from SA Police water operations officers at Murray Bridge Marketplace from 10.30-11.30am next Tuesday, January 13.

Two hurt in Dukes Highway crash

Meanwhile, several motorists are recovering after being involved in a four-car accident on the Dukes Highway over the Christmas-new year period.

The vehicles were all travelling in the same direction before they collided in a rear-end crash near Elwomple Road at Cooke Plains just before 11am on December 27.

Two people were taken to hospital with serious injuries, and three of the cars were written off.

Police closed the highway for several hours while the mess was cleared and investigators looked at the scene.

Speeding Victorian stopped at Cooke Plains

Finally, a Victorian P-plater has copped a big fine after allegedly being caught speeding on the same stretch of highway at Cooke Plains.

Police reportedly spotted the 24-year-old’s Mercedes station wagon doing 148 kilometres per hour in a 110 zone on Christmas Day.

They fined him $1841.

Also stopped by traffic police over the holiday break were:

• A 22-year-old woman who allegedly returned a blood alcohol reading of 0.131 on Beatty Terrace, Murray Bridge on December 20; she lost her licence for six months and vehicle for 28 days and will face a drink driving charge in court
• A 22-year-old Callington man allegedly caught drug driving, while disqualified, on the Old Princes Highway at Monarto; he lost his licence for three months and may face court
• A 55-year-old Murray Bridge woman who allegedly blew 0.086 on the Old Princes Highway just before 10pm on Saturday; she lost her licence for six months and Ford ute for 28 days and will face court