‘Measly’ $20 taxi fare could have prevented costly legal matter, court hears

A MEASLY $20 taxi fare would have meant a motorist could have avoided a costly legal matter after she was caught drink driving, a court has heard

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A MEASLY $20 taxi fare would have meant an Alice Springs woman could have avoided a costly legal matter after she was caught drink driving, a court has heard.

Bonnie Usher, 21, pleaded guilty to medium range drink driving after she was caught driving her intoxicated friend home from Rock Bar in Alice Springs early one morning last month.

Alice Springs Local Court heard she was pulled over by police on Railway Terrace on August 14 and was subjected to a breath test after showing signs of intoxication, which included bloodshot eyes, slurred speech and the smell of alcohol.

A measly $20 taxi fare would have meant an Alice Springs woman could have avoided a costly legal matter after she was caught drink driving, a court has heard

When the officer asked why Ms Usher had been driving, she replied, “I screwed up”.

Ms Usher was at Rock Bar when “one of her friends became very drunk” and she chose to drive him home.

Judge Greg Borchers told Ms Usher, “$20 in your back pocket would see you not in here today”.

“You have to take responsibility for this yourself,” Mr Borchers said.

“The two of you (Ms Usher and her friend) might want to consider the effects on you for losing your license for six months, the effects on your employer, and the effects on your wallet with your fine today, far outweigh putting $20 in your back pocket for a taxi.

“Because if your friend got so drunk, they couldn’t drive a car, that person has spent a lot of money over the bar.

“If you’ve got to the level where you’ve got to and stayed at the Rock Bar well into the night you’ve also spent a lot of money.

“The consequences are severe and the reason why the consequences are severe is because governments … take road safety seriously.”

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The court heard Ms Usher was of good character and had employment with a business that provides services for people with disabilities.

“She understands this is a terrible decision and deeply regrets doing what she did,” her defence lawyer said.

Ms Usher had her licence disqualified for six months and was ordered to pay $450 in fines. She was sentenced without conviction.

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