Media release

Drink Drivers –Alice Springs

Police

Police in Alice Springs arrested two people for driving more than six times over the limit at the weekend.

A 42-year-old man was stopped in Head Street by members of Southern Traffic Operations for a random breath test just before 9.30pm on Saturday.. Police found the man was driving with a blood alcohol level of .319 per cent.

Sergeant Conan Robertson said police also found the back seat of the man's Holden Commodore was not bolted into the vehicle but was held in place by wires.

"This led to the seat swaying backwards and forwards as the vehicle accelerated and slowed," Sgt Robertson said.

The man has been charged with high range drink driving, driving disqualified and driving an unsafe motor vehicle.
"His driver's licence was also disqualified. This is a clear example of a random breath test saving lives. It was only a matter of time before something horrific was going to happen considering the intoxication of the driver and the dangerous condition of the vehicle. It is this kind of behaviour that puts all road users at risk."

Police also pulled over a 39-year-old woman as she was driving a Holden Commodore along Gap Road just before 11pm on Saturday night. Police noticed the vehicle being driven across the centre line and into the path of on-coming traffic before the driver veered back into the correct lane. The woman was found to be driving with a blood alcohol level of .296 per cent. She was also a disqualified driver.

She has been charged with high range drink driving and disqualified driving. Both will appear in the Alice Springs Magistrates Court today.



Media contact:
Theresa Kuilboer
8922 3531