On-duty taxi driver Paul Page Taylor blasted for .169 drink-driving reading

A Queensland magistrate has slammed the “disgraceful behaviour” of a taxi driver who was busted high-range drink-driving while transporting a fare-paying passenger, while the items police found in the boot of his cab didn’t help his case.

A Central Queensland taxi driver has been blasted by a magistrate after he was busted on the job with a high-range blood alcohol content.

Taxi drivers are required to have no alcohol in their systems while working.

Paul Page Taylor, 57, pleaded guilty in Yeppoon Magistrates Court on July 7 to high-range drink-driving.

Police prosecutor Courtney Brown said at the time of the offence, Taylor was driving a taxi for Black & White Cabs.

Ms Brown said during the early hours of June 5, police received information about an intoxicated taxi driver on duty in Yeppoon.

About 1.40am, police were patrolling Yeppoon Road when they intercepted Taylor and breath tested him.

Ms Brown said at the time, Taylor was transporting a passenger who was in the front seat.

“Police observed (Taylor) to have blood shot, glassy eyes and a flushed face, and to be slightly disorientated and unsteady on his feet,” Mr Brown said.

“He emitted a strong odour of liquor.”

A Central Queensland taxi driver has lost his job after being caught high-range drink-driving. Generic image.

Taylor subsequently returned a blood alcohol reading of .169.

Ms Brown said police also saw an open 30-pack carton of Great Northern mid-strength beer cans “with some contents missing” in the boot of the vehicle.

The court heard that Taylor’s driver’s licence had been suspended since June 5 when he returned the positive reading.

Solicitor Joanne Madden said Taylor had lost his job as a taxi driver as a result of this offence.

“On this particular occasion, (he) had finished a shift, had gone home, hadn’t been able to sleep and drank alcohol to assist him to sleep, but then was requested to undertake a further shift for another driver who apparently had broke his leg,” Ms Madden said.

“And he (Taylor) foolishly accepted to do that.”

Ms Madden said Taylor had expressed his remorse “very much” and he had sought counselling.

Before handing down penalty, Magistrate Jason Schubert noted that Taylor had a previous drink-driving offence on his history from 2016.

“But on this occasion (June 5, 2022), when you’re a professional driver, when you’re held to a high standard – it is my understanding that as a taxi driver you should have a zero limit,” Mr Schubert said.

Taylor himself replied: “That is correct, Your Honour.”

Mr Schubert added: “So you were infinity times over. Over three times over what the normal limit would be but of course that doesn’t apply to taxi drivers.

“This is rather disgraceful behaviour – people come to rely on taxi drivers.”

Mr Schubert fined Taylor $1100 and disqualified him from driving for 10 months.