Premium Content A number of drink and drug-drivers were dealt with in Rockhampton Magistrates Court last week.
Talon Reginald Petzler had methamphetamine and marijuana in his system when he was intercepted driving along Cambridge Street, Rockhampton, about 5.40pm on February 2. Petzler pleaded guilty to the charge in Rockhampton Magistrates Court on April 8. Police prosecutor Senior Constable Peter Rumford said Petzler told police he had recently used drugs, however, not on that day. When asked by Magistrate Philippa Beckinsale if he was doing anything to address his drug use, Petzler responded no . Ms Beckinsale told Petzler he should think about addressing his drug use.
Inspector Wells said of the 230 fines given, 170 were issued for speeding offences.
“We had one particularly scary situation where we pulled over a gentleman and his wife for speeding,” Inspector Wells said.
“They were drinking, having sips of wine, while driving, with two kids in the back,” he said.
“It’s appalling, the risk they posed to the community and their kids.”
“There were 10 crashes with 14 people injured but nothing life threatening,” Inspector Wells said.
Despite this, the officer said the community as a whole did a good job.
“We had an increased amount of traffic combined with the tempered showers and slippery roads,” he said.
Bundaberg police have revealed 157 infringements were issued to drivers across the region over the Easter long weekend. Officer in charge of the Bundaberg Road Policing Unit Sergeant Marty Arnold said multiple disappointing incidents occurred on the region s roads this weekend, but overall the majority of drivers were well behaved. Two drivers (were) issued infringements for travelling 40km/h over the speed limit on a wet road (and there were) nine drink drivers - two of which were over five times the legal limit, he said. Across the Wide Bay Burnett 157 infringements were issued and 2845 random breath tests conducted. But with more than 150 infringements issued over the weekend, it s clear the important message continues to go unheard for some.
Driver arrested was 10 times over the legal alcohol limit and was already banned
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A motorist who came to garda attention after he overtook them was found to be driving at ten times the legal alcohol limit.
Following his arrest, it emerged that he was serving at ten-year disqualification from holding a licence at the time.
The vehicle was travelling on the dual carriageway near Sligo when the incident occurred. Gardaí noticed that the vehicle which had overtaken them was swerving from side to side.
The driver has been charged to appear before the courts in the coming weeks and the vehicle was seized.