Pacific Pines man charged with drink driving after being stopped on Discovery Drive in Helensvale

Police who pounced on a driver allegedly swerving between lanes have released remarkable footage of their at-times humourous conversation. SEE THE VIDEO

Police have released footage of a man casually admitting he had “probably too much” to drink before being pulled over for driving erratically.

The 34-year-old from Pacific Pines was stopped by police on Discovery Drive in Helensvale, close to the corner with the Gold Coast Highway, at 1.10am on Sunday September 22.

It is alleged the man, who was driving a white dual cab utility, had been swerving between lanes. In footage released by police, an officer can be heard exclaiming “oh my gosh” as they stopped the car.

Officers then approached the vehicle and asked the man if he had consumed any alcohol, to which he replied that he had.

“Is that why you were driving all over the road,” the officer asked.

“Yep”, the man said, before admitting he had “probably too much” to drink.

Police pull over a Pacific Pines man suspected of drink driving on Discovery Dr in Helensvale on September 22. Picture: QPS

The man allegedly returned a blood alcohol concentration of 0.210, more than five times the legal limit.

He was charged with drink driving, had his license immediately suspended and is expected to appear before Southport Magistrates Court on October 7.

The case came to light as police revealed that they had charged 9584 people across Queensland in a road safety blitz during the September school holidays.

Across the two weeks of the operation police conducted 40,506 roadside breath tests, 2,265 roadside drug tests, charged 446 people with drink driving and 417 people with drug driving.

A total of 3606 motorists were also issued speeding offences and 126 with seat belt offences.

The man allegedly returned a breath alcohol concentration of 0.210, more than five times the legal limit. Picture: QPS

Acting Chief Superintendent Garrath Channells said among the speeding incidents was one where a five-year-old girl was found lying the back seat with no seatbelt on.

“The Queensland Police Service is dedicated to keep motorists safe by enforcing a zero-tolerance policy for those found to be driving dangerously,” Acting Chief Supt Channells said.

“One offence during the operation involved police intercepting a vehicle speeding, to find an unrestrained five-year-old girl lying on the back-seat and the driver to have a suspended licence.

“That behaviour put the life of a child at risk, and the driver was charged with three offences and will go before court.

Acting Chief Superintendent Garrath Channells.

“Every decision you make behind the wheel not only impacts yourself, but all those around you on the road.

“Simple things like wearing a seatbelt significantly improves your chances of surviving a crash. Yet almost one in ten Queenslanders still admit to not always wearing one.

“Too many lives have been lost on Queensland roads this year and we do not want to see this figure climb any higher.”

Police warned that they would continue their “zero tolerance” policy towards people breaking the road rules as children returned to school this week, with a particular focus on school zones.

“We want to remind parents, caregivers and everyone driving in school zones to exercise their common sense, drive with patience and courtesy,” Acting Chief Supt Channells said.

“Parking unlawfully, blocking intersections and driveways along with not adhering to speed limits or driving carelessly, creates dangers for children going to and from school.

“We need to work together to make our roads safer, so motorists should continue to expect to see police anywhere, anytime.”

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Originally published as Pacific Pines man charged with drink driving after being stopped on Discovery Drive in Helensvale