Drunk driver records almost 7 times limit
A 43-year-old man will face court for high-range drink-driving after a member of the public assisted police in his apprehension last night (Thursday, 1 September 2022).
About 7.30pm a community member contacted ACT Policing to report a driver who they had seen slumped over his steering wheel at a set of traffic lights in the city. The driver failed to respond through several cycles of light changes, before driving slowly through the CBD, at times on the wrong side of the road.
The member of public followed the driver from a safe distance and provided ACT Policing with updates of the driver’s location.
When police attended, the driver returned a positive roadside alcohol screen, and later breath analysis returned a result of 0.331, almost seven times the 0.05 legal limit.
The driver was arrested and lodged in the ACT Watch House, and will appear in the ACT Magistrates Court on 26 September 2022 charged with Level 4 (high range) drink driving, driving under the influence of intoxicating liquor, use of an unregistered motor vehicle, use of an uninsured motor vehicle.
Officer in Charge, ACT Road Policing, Acting Inspector Travis Mills said his initial reaction to this was one of horror.
“This is not a case where someone has made a small miscalculation and chosen to drive, this is a deliberate – even foolhardy – decision that has put many lives at risk,” Acting Inspector Mills said.
“I would like to express my gratitude to the member of the public who reported this matter. This person may well have saved lives last night. Their response reminds us all that road safety is a shared responsibility.
“It also underscores the importance of reporting dangerous driving behaviour to police when you see it.”
Anyone who witnessed a silver Honda Accord driving in an erratic manner between Belconnen and the Canberra CBD areas between 7 and 8pm on Thursday evening is urged to contact ACT CrimeStoppers on 1800 333 000 or via the website. Please quote reference 7204689.
Media enquiries
Police Media — (02) 5126 9070, act-police-media@afp.gov.au