A 42-year-old learner driver remains in Police custody after recording a reading of 0.153 during a Random Breath test in Alice Springs.

The man was driving a Toyota Landcruiser south on Berger Court when Police stopped him at around 9am this morning.  They discovered the driver had only received his learners permit and purchased the vehicle the day before.

Sergeant Conan Robertson from the Southern Traffic Operations Unit said there were several passengers but they fled the scene after Police stopped the car.

“It appears he has chosen to celebrate his new permit and car by getting drunk and then going for a drive, he didn’t even bother to display his new ‘L’ plates

“This carelessness is indescribable and the fact he had just driven past a school precinct is frightening.” Said Sergeant Robertson

“I am confident that the Northern Territory Police have saved at least one life by locking this man up.  It was only a matter of time before something horrible happened under these circumstances.”