New Geraldton Traffic OIC Sgt George Tilbury plans to increase presence on roads, crackdown on drugged drivers

Targeted and random drug testing operations will increase in the Mid West under a plan by Geraldton Police’s new traffic boss. Newly appointed traffic officer in charge at Geraldton Police, Sgt George Tilbury, intends to bolt down on suspended drivers, drug driving and expand police presence on regional roads. Sgt Tilbury, who has more than 30 years’ experience in the force, wants to see more stations and patrol officers trained to undertake roadside drug testing. A recent blitz saw almost a quarter of Mid West drivers who were tested for drugs return a positive result. Prior to his new role, Sgt George Tilbury was with the WA Police Union for seven years, and served as president. He has also worked in the State traffic research project, formulating new laws and preparing documents to be considered for new legislation. “I like fighting for people and make sure they get what they deserve and that people are taken care of,” Sgt Tilbury said. Sgt Tilbury was also part of the Regional Enforcement Unit, which focused on increased patrols on high risk regional roads within a 400km radius of Perth. Sgt Tilbury said the REU was important due to the disproportionately higher number of fatal and serious crashes in the country. “Something I’ve noticed and am working on changing is our capability to cover more area,” Sgt Tilbury said. “I’ve been able to change the rosters of the traffic personnel to ensure that we’re getting greater coverage and we’re maximising the number of regional roads that we’re patrolling.” Sgt Tilbury said he wanted to increase the number of police patrols trained to conduct drug testing in a bid to reduce the number of drug-affected drivers on the road. He said impaired drivers were a large focus for police in the district, but only certain officers were trained for drug testing. “One of my aims in the new role is to expand that capability, because I’d like every police vehicle ultimately to be able to conduct alcohol and drug testing,” he said. “Getting in early for impaired drivers and taking them off the roads certainly will reduce our serious and fatal crashes.” Sgt Tilbury said it was important to crack down on those who continued to get behind the wheel with a suspended licence. “We need to ensure that we target recidivist traffic offenders,” he said. “If those people are picked up and charged while on suspension, they will generally get a more lengthy suspension and these are the circumstances where cars are impounded.” Sgt Tilbury said hoon behaviour would not be tolerated, and police would be targeting that offending as it was bothersome for residents and put lives in danger. “I know that really upsets a lot of members of the local community who are just trying to go about enjoying their lives and they have people doing burnouts out the front of their houses and putting lives at risk,” he said. “When that occurs, we will be there and we will be doing something about it.” According to the Road Safety Commission, 12 people died on roads in the Mid West-Gascoyne district in 2020 and nine last year. The new traffic boss said the 20 per cent reduction in fatalities was due to the good work done prior to his arrival, but he would strive to ensure the roads were as safe as possible going forward. “The vast majority of people are good and do the right thing, but you’re always going to have a small minority of people who continue to offend, which is really disappointing because those are the ones who put everyone at risk when we’re on the roads,” Sgt Tilbury said. Traffic police ask anyone with concerns about hoon behaviour or dangerous driving, or those with footage of reckless driving, to contact the station on 9923 4555 or make a report at police.wa.gov.au.