Taxi driver Mark Lauritz caught drink driving while working at Yeppoon

A Central Queensland taxi driver’s drink-driving story has not gone down well with a magistrate and the fact it was not his first boozy blunder didn’t help.

Mark David Frederick Lauritz.

A Central Queensland taxi driver has been banned from the road after a boozy blunder involving home brew vodkas and sodas.

Mark David Frederick Lauritz, 60, pleaded guilty in Yeppoon Magistrates Court to drink driving.

Police prosecutor Corey O’Connor said about 5.30pm on August 27, Lauritz was on duty as a taxi driver when police intercepted him on the Scenic Highway at Lammermoor.

“He (Lauritz) stated he was a taxi driver and was working at the time - he had just dropped off a fare, and was on his way to Cedar Park,” Mr O’Connor said.

“As a working taxi driver (he) was subject to a zero alcohol limit.”

After a random breath test, Lauritz returned a blood alcohol reading of .057.

“He (Lauritz) stated he consumed approximately half a dozen home brew vodkas and sodas, with his last drink being approximately 12 hours earlier around 5am,” Mr O’Connor said.

The court heard Lauritz had a previous drink driving offence from two years ago on his traffic history - on that occasion he blew .073.

Solicitor Matthew Mallet said Lauritz was “deeply remorseful” for his actions.

Mr Mallet said Lauritz’s life had been affected by significant personal losses.

“Seven years ago (he) lost his father, followed shortly by his wife who passed away after a long battle with cancer,” Mr Mallet said.

“He later repartnered but tragically his new partner suffered a stroke and passed away suddenly at the age of 55.

“These successive losses have taken a considerable emotional toll on my client.

“Following these events (Lauritz) turned to alcohol as a way to cope with his grief.”

Mark David Frederick Lauritz.

Mr Mallet added that over the past several years, Lauritz had made several changes in his life.

“Instead of relying on alcohol, he now leads a positive and healthy lifestyle, he regularly engages in exercise including walking, swimming and bike riding, and works hard to maintain his physical and mental wellbeing.

“(He) is not only a hard-working individual, but also a respected member of the community - he has been a dedicated volunteer at his local football club, serving as an umpire and groundskeeper for many years.”

In relation to the offending, Mr Mallet said Lauritz had stopped drinking alcohol 12 hours prior to driving, and before getting behind the wheel he had slept, eaten, hydrated and exercised.

“Despite all this (Lauritz) fully accepts that driving while intoxicated was a grave error of judgment,” Mr Mallet said.

Mr Mallet said Lauritz had completed a traffic offenders program prior to sentencing.

Before imposing the penalty on September 26, Magistrate Cameron Press said he had difficulty accepting Lauritz’s last alcoholic drink was 12 hours prior to driving.

Mr Press added: “It is a shame that you (Lauritz) didn’t do that course (traffic offenders course) subsequent to your (drink driving) conviction in September of 2022 when you had a reading of .073.

“Now you’re back before the court with a reading of .057.

“As I’ve indicated, I find it difficult to accept that you waited 12 hours before you drove - I would be fairly confident that if you had waited that long, sir, there would have been no alcohol in your system.”

Mr Press fined Lauritz $600 and disqualified him from driving for four months and two weeks.

A traffic conviction was recorded.

Originally published as Taxi driver Mark Lauritz caught drink driving while working at Yeppoon