The three-month operation code named Operation Quebec Yield will also involve officers targeting drivers for red light, mobile phone and seat belt offences.

Sergeant Luke Flanagan from the Mount Isa Road Policing Unit said all units throughout the Mount Isa District will have specific tasks aimed at contributing towards this operation.

“All vehicles that are intercepted during the course of this three month period will have their licence plates inspected to ensure they are the ones that were issued by the Department of Transport and Main roads and that they are in good condition,” Sgt Flanagan said..

Unfortunately Sgt Flanagan expressed concern over the amount of vehicles that have dirty, damaged or obstructed licence plates.

“Some vehicles are even missing one or both plates. This can make it difficult to identify vehicles that are involved in offences.”

Mount Isa Police, in conjunction with Department of Transport and Main Roads (DTMR), would like to advise people that you can replace your licence plates at DTMR by obtaining new standard plates which start at $30.20 or, if you want to keep your current registration, prices start at $104.40 for standard, non-personalised plates.

Road Policing Command Superintendent David Johnson said Police use registration plates to trace stolen vehicles and vehicles involved in crime and life-endangering traffic offences such as disobeying red lights and speeding.”

Superintendent Johnson said motorists without proper vehicle registration are also not paying their fair share as a road user.

“It means the State Government has to foot the bill when motorists without insurance coverage cause crashes and injure others on our roads,” he said.

“In the last five years more than 70 people have lost their lives on our roads in crashes involving an unregistered vehicle.”