Driving instructor Veronica Langford charged with drink driving

A driving instructor was caught drink driving after she attempted to drive back to her home in country NSW after having wine with her sister.

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A driving instructor caught drink driving will keep her licence after she was busted at twice the legal limit on a highway south of Sydney.

Veronica Langford, 55, shared a bottle of wine with her sister over dinner on September 7 before an argument broke out at a Yarrawarrah home and she was forced to leave.

Langford began to drive south on the Princes Hwy towards her home several hours away in Young before her husband intervened over the phone and told her to wait to be picked up.

However, it was too late for Langford, who had encountered police at a stationary random breath testing site just before 1am.

Driving instructor Veronica Langford (left) was charged with drink driving offence.

At Sutherland Local Court Magistrate Jayeann Carney said the driving instructor blew 0.118, more than twice the legal limit.

“She made the decision, which she fully accepts, and she put others at risk,” Ms Carney said.

“Thankfully there was no accident but there was a risk to the safety of others and to herself.”

However, Langford escaped a driving disqualification that would spell the end of her career as a driving instructor and was instead given a two-year conditional release order without conviction.

“The defendant knows as a driver and a hard worker with a family that she would not want other people driving beside her or her family that had an intoxication level that she had,” Ms Carney said.

“She has to be accountable for her actions.”

Langford will not lose her licence.

The court heard Langford had no prior criminal history and a good traffic record since she obtained her licence in 1981.

“What’s important for the defendant to think about is why would a person of good character commit an offence like this?” Ms Carney asked.

“Safety is very important - your safety, the safety of every person in this room.”

The maximum potential penalties for mid-range drink driving include nine months’ imprisonment, a six month driving disqualification, a mandatory interlock device and a fine of $2200.

Langford’s solicitor said the matter had caused her great embarrassment.

“She realised how stupid it would be to attempt to drive to Young when she was affected by alcohol,” he told the court.