Sachin Dagar: Albury taxi driver blows three times alcohol limit

An Albury taxi driver slurred his words and struggled to walk when busted driving more than three times over the alcohol limit.

An Albury taxi driver has been busted driving more than three times over the alcohol limit. Pic: Blainey Woodham

An Albury taxi driver has lost his licence for six months after he was caught driving more than three times over the alcohol limit.

Sachin Dagar, 35, appeared before Albury Local Court on Monday after he pleaded guilty to high-range drink driving.

Dagar was driving his Jeep Compass down Smollett St in Albury when he parked at the Clifton Motel about 11.30pm.

Court documents state Dagar was yelling and acting disruptive, and the owners of the motel called police.

When they arrived they found Dagar on the footpath talking to the owners.

Police said he was slurring his words and was unsteady on his feet and CCTV footage later showed Dagar driving in.

Dagar was arrested and taken to Albury Police Station where he recorded an alcohol reading of 0.173.

Dagar’s defence solicitor Mark Cronin said his client was a taxi driver and needed his license to work.

He also said at the time of the offending, Dagar was not working.

“He was on a day off and at home drinking whiskey,” Mr Cronin said.

“He had plans to see friends at Albury train station who were returning to India, and he was afraid he might not see them for a long time.

“He began calling taxis, but when no taxis arrived he made the foolish decision to drive.”

Mr Cronin said Dagar had moved to Australia from India in 2010 and had no criminal history at all.

Magistrate Richard Funston accepted Dagar needed his license for work, and would keep his disqualification period to the minimum.

Dagar was disqualified from driving for six months, with an interlock of 24 months, and was fined $1000.

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