Sunshine Coast woman Alice Wanda Bunting faces Ballina court pleading guilty to high range drink driving

A Queensland woman found snoozing in a breakdown lane near Ballina with her car’s transmission in drive and a wine bottle in the centre console blew more than five times the legal limit.

Alice Wanda Bunting outside the court.

Police found a woman asleep behind the wheel in a highway breakdown lane near Ballina with the transmission still in drive after reports about her dangerous driving, a court heard.

Alice Wanda Bunting, 40, pleaded guilty at Ballina Local Court court to high range drink driving after blowing 0.252 – more than five times the legal alcohol limit for driving.

Two people reported the Sunshine Coast woman’s vehicle “swerving” onto the wrong side of the Pacific Highway, “brake checking” as well as “driving too close to the barriers” and other cars, police documents state.

Bunting drove her Kia Sportage from Lennox Head to Ballina before stopping at a BP truck stop and getting back onto the Pacific Highway on November 2 last year.

Police found Bunting in a breakdown lane near Ballina asleep with the ignition left on and the transmission still in drive, police facts state.

She took a breath test and recorded 0.252.

Alice Wanda Bunting pleaded guilty to high range drink driving.

An empty bottle of wine was next to her in the centre console.

“Although Bunting was compliant and apologetic for her actions she appeared well-affected by alcohol,” police state.

“She had difficulty with her balance and her speech was slurred.”

Magistrate Karen Stafford told the court on Thursday “there was a great deal of erratic driving”.

“You abandoned your moral responsibility,” Ms Stafford said.

“I applaud people who call police in regards to someone’s dangerous driving because it saves lives.”

The court heard Bunting had a history of speeding offences in Victoria and Queensland.

Ms Stafford fined Bunting $2000 and sentenced her to a three-year community corrections order with supervision.

Bunting’s licence was disqualified for six months, a conviction was recorded and she was ordered to take part in the Alcohol Interlock Program for two years.