A Queensland man’s driving privileges have been revoked after authorities reportedly discovered over a dozen empty beer cans inside his vehicle during a traffic stop for speeding.
The incident occurred on the Bruce Highway in Guthalungra, approximately 100 kilometers southeast of Townsville, when police pulled over a red Suzuki Swift around 11:30 a.m. on January 17.
According to police, the driver, a 53-year-old resident of Craiglie, was allegedly speeding at 148 km/h in a zone designated for 100 km/h.
When questioned by an officer about his alcohol consumption, the man allegedly confessed to having “a couple” of drinks.
Authorities reported finding more than a dozen empty beer cans beneath the driver’s seat, along with a cooler bag that appeared to contain additional empty cans.
The man allegedly registered a blood alcohol concentration of 0.111, according to police reports.
The man’s licence was immediately suspended and he was charged with driving while over the middle alcohol limit.
In addition to the charge, he was issued a traffic infringement notice for high-range speeding, fined $1919 and received eight demerit points.
“It is extremely dangerous to speed or get behind the wheel while you are impaired by an intoxicating substance which impacts your ability to judge distance, speed, reduces your coordination and concentration, and distorts your perception of time, place and space,” acting Senior Sergeant Ivey said.
“Road safety is a shared duty, and everyone who makes the decision to get behind the wheel has a responsibility to ensure everyone makes it home safe.”
About 30 minutes earlier, a 21-year-old Cairns man was found driving 157km/h in a 100km/h zone on the Bruce Highway at Inkerman about 11am on January 17, police allege.
He was issued a traffic infringement notice for high-range speeding, fined almost $2000 and received eight demerit points.
