Alice Springs Police from the Southern Traffic Unit have arrested two men within a short time of each other at the same Random Breath Testing Station.

Sergeant Conan Robertson said a 40 year-old learner driver was stopped at about ten-to-three in the afternoon yesterday.  The man returned a Breath Test of 0.204% and did not have ‘L’ plates displayed.

“Police are concerned that this man also had four passengers in the car.  The front seat passenger, who is required to hold an unrestricted licence if accompanying a learner, did not hold a current licence.  The rear seat passengers certainly should not have encouraged this dangerous behaviour by getting into the vehicle.

“Friends do not let friends drink and drive.

“In this case it doesn’t matter what age the learner driver is, he simply would not have the experience to drive safely without instruction and especially not if he is drunk.”

Half-an-hour earlier the same Officers had caught a 26 year-old man who returned a breath test of 0.022%.  He will face charges of Drive in the NT after being disqualified in another State and Unlicensed Driving with alcohol in his blood.

Sergeant Robertson said it was very disappointing to catch two drink drivers in such a short time in the middle of the day.

“Sometimes it will take a death for people to realise that drinking and driving do not mix.  We are thankful this time that was not the case.”