Man charged with drink-driving on Hamilton Island
Police have allegedly nabbed yet another buggy driver under the influence on Hamilton Island while trying to deal with gale force winds and Tropical Cyclone Kirrily.
Police & Courts
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Police have allegedly nabbed yet another buggy driver under the influence on Hamilton Island while trying to deal with gale force winds and Tropical Cyclone Kirrily.
Mackay Police District Sergeant Nigel Dalton said a 37-year-old NSW man allegedly crashed a buggy on One Tree Hill about 10.30pm Wednesday.
Sergeant Dalton said police gave the Grasmere man first aid, with his leg injured after the buggy flipped over.
He said officers, who were at Hamilton Island to help with TC Kirrily, tested the man’s breath which returned a blood alcohol concentration of more than three times the legal limit at 0.156.
“Police are urging the public not to behave in a reckless way that adds pressure on our service to the community during this severe weather event,” Sergeant Dalton said.
“Road safety is always important and drivers should never get behind the wheel if they are under the influence of drugs or alcohol.”
Superintendent Graeme Paine said the incident was “completely avoidable” and detracted from officers being able to focus resources on safeguarding the community.
“The consumption of alcohol, the decision to drive is completely unnecessary,” Superintendent Paine said.
“So if I can just reiterate that message to the community again, please work with us.”
Sergeant Dalton said the Grasmere man was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol and was scheduled to appear before Proserpine Magistrates Court on February 19.
The alleged incident follows more than a dozen drunk drivers being caught on the island over Christmas and New Year’s Eve as part of a ramped-up police operation following the tragic death of a newlywed bride.
Read the full list of drink-drivers who were mentioned in Whitsunday region courts here.
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