A 49-year-old Devonport woman has been arrested and charged with several offences after allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol in Devonport on Friday evening, Tasmania Police reported. The charges follow a report from a member of the public who observed concerning driving behaviour.
According to Tasmania Police, at approximately 8:45 pm on Friday, September 25, police received a report from a member of the public. The caller allegedly observed the woman driving without headlights, travelling on the wrong side of the road, and driving on the rim of one of her tyres. The public member also reported that the woman’s vehicle had allegedly collided with their vehicle before leaving the scene.
Police intercepted the woman a short time later and transported her to the Devonport Police Station. At the station, police allege she returned a breath alcohol reading of 0.276, which is more than five times the legal limit.
The woman has been charged with Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol, Exceeding the Prescribed Alcohol Limit, and Failing to Comply with the Duties of a Driver Involved in a Crash, Tasmania Police stated. In addition to the charges, she was issued with an Excessive Drink Driving Notice and has been disqualified from driving for two years. She was subsequently bailed to appear in court at a later date.
Inspector Steve Jones of Tasmania Police highlighted the gravity of such incidents. Inspector Jones stated that driving while intoxicated is a completely irresponsible and unacceptable decision, emphasising that there is simply no excuse for getting behind the wheel after consuming alcohol. He further added that choosing to drive while heavily intoxicated not only puts the driver at risk but also endangers every other road user and pedestrian in the community, describing it as a reckless decision with potentially devastating consequences.
Tasmania Police extended their gratitude to the member of the public who reported the dangerous driving behaviour, noting that their intervention allowed police to act and prevent the risk of further harm to the community. Police remind the public that anyone who witnesses dangerous driving on Tasmanian roads is urged to contact police on 131 444, or Triple Zero (000) in an emergency.
It is important to remember that a person charged with an offence is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
For more details, readers can refer to the original media release on the Tasmania Police website.