Ballarat: Alleged drunk driver caught on phone, more than three times over limit

A local driver has recorded a shocking blood alcohol reading and was allegedly on his phone when he was nabbed cruising on one of Ballarat’s main drags.

A man had his car impounded after being caught drink-driving in Ballarat on Friday, January 27. Picture: Victoria Police.

A man has lost his driver’s license for a year and had his car impounded after he was caught allegedly drink driving and on his phone in Ballarat.

Police spotted the man driving his silver Ford Mondeo through an intersection on Howitt St about 9pm on Friday.

They pulled him over after they saw him allegedly on his phone while driving.

The 42-year-old Wendouree man then returned a positive preliminary breath test, and was taken to a nearby police station.

A secondary test detected a blood alcohol reading of .177, more than three times the legal limit.

Officers immediately suspended the man’s licence and impounded the car for 30 days at a cost of $1420.

He is expected to be charged on summons for drink driving and other related offences.