A Wollongong man's belief that a hearty serving of hot chips and a meat pie would neutralise the effects of five beers has led to a serious court conviction for high-range drink-driving.
Foolish Decision After Brewery Visit
Daniel Mark Ritchie, 47, faced Wollongong Local Court on January 13 following a traffic stop on December 29. Police pulled Ritchie over on Memorial Drive at Fairy Meadow around 6pm, where he failed a roadside breath test.
Subsequent testing at Wollongong Police Station revealed a blood alcohol concentration of 0.179 – more than three times the legal limit of 0.05. When questioned about his consumption, Ritchie told officers he had drunk five full-strength beers but had eaten a meat pie and hot chips alongside them.
Driving Already Suspended
Further checks by police uncovered an additional offence. Ritchie's driver's licence was already suspended at the time due to unpaid fines, making his decision to get behind the wheel even more reckless.
In court, Ritchie pleaded guilty to both high-range drink-driving and driving while his licence was suspended. His solicitor, Mr Kenny, did not mince words, describing his client's actions as "very foolish".
Court Delivers Stern Warning and Penalty
Magistrate Geraldine Beattie expressed grave concern over Ritchie's behaviour, emphasising the danger he posed to the public. "It carries jail for a good reason ... You put everybody else's lives at risk," Magistrate Beattie told the court.
The court heard Ritchie had completed the Traffic Offenders Program, which his solicitor said provided an "insightful reflection" on his choices.
For his offences, Ritchie received the following penalties:
- A six-month Community Correction Order.
- A fine of $2,100.
- A six-month disqualification from driving.
The case serves as a stark reminder that no amount of food can mitigate the impairing effects of alcohol on a driver, and that driving while suspended compounds the seriousness of any offence.
