Two drink drivers – one of whom was also exceeding the speed limit by 65km/h – were stopped by ACT Policing officers in separate incidents last night. Both men registered a blood alcohol reading more than double the legal limit of 0.05.
The first driver was detected about 6.45pm on the Monaro Highway, Theodore, when a white Mazda BT-50 overtook a police vehicle which was travelling at the speed limit.
When the 30-year-old NSW provisional licence holder stopped for police, he was subjected to a roadside breath test, which returned a positive result.
The man was arrested and underwent breath analysis at Tuggeranong Police Station where he returned a blood alcohol reading of 0.108. Further checks revealed the man’s licence had been suspended on 9 May 2022 for 12 months.
Police issued the man with an immediate suspension notice, suspending his right to drive in the ACT. He will be summonsed to face court charged with driving while suspended and drink driving.
The second driver, a 25-year-old Calwell man, was detected travelling at 155km/h in the 90 km/h zone on Gungahlin Drive, Aranda about 9.55pm, by officers conducting speed checks.
The man returned a positive result to a roadside breath test and was taken to Belconnen Police Station where he returned a 0.106 blood alcohol reading.
The man will be summonsed to face court to answer to both the speeding and drink driving offences.
Officer in Charge ACT Road Policing, Detective acting Inspector Paul Hutcheson said these drivers were selfishly indulging in dangerous behaviour.
“Everyone knows that drinking then driving is dangerous, and any time you choose to do it, you’re not only choosing to risk your life, you’re also selfishly risking the lives of other road users,” Detective Acting Inspector Hutcheson said.
“Let me put this in simple terms. If you’ve been drinking, don’t drive. If your licence has been suspended, don’t drive.
“And there is no excuse for exceeding the speed limit, but to do so by more than 60 kilometres an hour is especially dangerous and foolish.”
