2 September 2022

Tip-off helps police arrest driver allegedly almost seven times legal limit

| Claire Fenwicke
Join the conversation
1

A man has been charged for allegedly driving while being almost seven times the legal limit. Photo: ACT Policing.

A man has been charged with multiple offences including high-range drink driving after allegedly being caught driving with a blood alcohol level almost seven times the legal limit.

A member of the public called police at about 7:30 last night (Thursday, 1 September) and said they had seen a driver slumped over his steering wheel at a set of traffic lights in the city.

The driver had failed to move through several cycles of light changes, before driving slowly through the CBD, at times on the wrong side of the road.

The member of the public followed the vehicle from a safe distance while updating police of their location.

When officers arrived the male driver allegedly returned a positive roadside alcohol screen, and later a breath analysis with a result of 0.331.

That’s almost seven times the 0.05 legal limit.

READ ALSO Almost a third of drugs tossed away at fixed testing site

The 43-year-old was charged with Level Four (high range) drink driving, driving under the influence of intoxicating liquor, use of an unregistered motor vehicle and use of an uninsured motor vehicle.

Officer in Charge of ACT Road Policing acting inspector Travis Mills said when he first heard of the incident, he was horrified.

“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,” he 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.”

The man has been scheduled to appear in ACT Magistrates Court on 26 September.

Anyone who saw a silver Honda Accord driving in an erratic manner between Belconnen and the Canberra CBD areas between 7 and 8 pm on Thursday evening has been urged to contact ACT CrimeStoppers on 1800 333 000, quoting reference number 7204689.

Join the conversation

1
All Comments
  • All Comments
  • Website Comments
LatestOldest

For cases like this, there needs to be a charge that highlights the reckless disregard for other human beings using the roads. Drink-driving is not enough, nor are the charges for unregistered cars and unlicensed cars, as none of these charges make it obvious that this was selfish behaviour that disregarded the rights of other people to get home safely that night.

Daily Digest

Want the best Canberra news delivered daily? Every day we package the most popular Riotact stories and send them straight to your inbox. Sign-up now for trusted local news that will never be behind a paywall.

By submitting your email address you are agreeing to Region Group's terms and conditions and privacy policy.