A Townsville man has been convicted and penalised for driving with a significant amount of alcohol in his system, a court has heard.
Court hears details of drink driving incident
Isitolo Vilo Finau, 27, appeared before the Townsville Magistrates Court this week to face a charge of drink driving. The court was told that police intercepted Finau while he was driving on December 16, 2023.
Upon being tested, Finau returned a breath alcohol reading of 0.162 per cent. This is more than three times the legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit of 0.05 per cent for open licence holders in Queensland, categorising the offence as high-range.
Legal consequences and magistrate's remarks
In handing down the sentence, the magistrate took into account Finau's early plea of guilty. For the high-range drink driving offence, Finau was convicted and ordered to pay a $1,200 fine.
As is standard for such offences, he was also disqualified from holding or obtaining a driver's licence. The court imposed a six-month mandatory disqualification period.
The magistrate emphasised the seriousness of driving with such a high alcohol reading, noting the increased risk it poses to the driver, passengers, and all other road users.
The broader impact of drink driving
This case serves as a stark reminder of the legal and personal consequences of drink driving. In Queensland, penalties for drink driving escalate based on the driver's BAC level and whether it is a repeat offence.
High-range offences, like Finau's, carry severe penalties including substantial fines and lengthy licence disqualifications. Courts can also impose imprisonment for the most serious cases.
The outcome underscores a clear message from authorities: driving under the influence of alcohol is a dangerous act that the judicial system treats with utmost seriousness, with the primary goals being community safety and deterrence.
