A Townsville man has faced significant penalties after being caught behind the wheel with a high concentration of alcohol in his system.
Court hands down sentence for high-range offence
Grant Andrew Carter, 62, appeared before the Townsville Magistrates Court this week to be sentenced for a serious drink-driving incident. The court heard that Carter was intercepted by police while driving with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) reading of 0.162%. This is more than three times the legal limit for an open licence holder in Queensland.
Magistrate Ross Mack presided over the case and delivered the sentence on Tuesday, 23 April 2024. Carter pleaded guilty to the charge of driving under the influence of liquor.
Financial penalty and driving ban imposed
The magistrate imposed a substantial fine on Carter for his actions. He was ordered to pay $1,500 to the court. In addition to the financial penalty, Carter received a mandatory driving disqualification.
His licence was suspended for a period of six months. This disqualification is a standard consequence for high-range drink-driving offences under Queensland law and is designed to protect the community from the dangers posed by impaired drivers.
A stern reminder of drink-driving consequences
This case serves as a clear warning about the serious repercussions of drink-driving in Townsville and across Queensland. The legal and financial consequences can be severe, even for a first-time offender.
Queensland Police continue to actively enforce drink-driving laws through regular roadside testing operations. The courts maintain a firm stance on such offences, particularly when readings are in the high-range category, due to the significantly increased risk of causing a fatal accident.
The outcome for Grant Andrew Carter underscores a critical community message: driving after consuming alcohol is a dangerous choice that carries heavy penalties, including substantial fines and the loss of your driver's licence.
