Monday, 23 March 2009 - 12:06pm |
National News

Parents with Excess Breath Alcohol - and their kids, in cars

1 min read

Several recent stories of parents driving with excess breath alcohol get police worried.

Last week in the course of general speed enforcement police stopped a 43 year old male who had picked his 6 year old daughter up from school just after 3pm. He was clearly intoxicated and returned an evidential result of 551mg/ltr. He was actually now on his way to uplift his 3 year old son from pre-school when stopped.

He admitted having had a 'hard night' drinking but had played golf with some friends in the morning and had a few cans starting at the first tee. There was also a full pack of beer in the car.

He was given a warning for no W.O.F The area around the school was heavy with parents and children.

Last Thursday on Avonside Drive at 4.30pm a female with 3 year old

daughter in her vehicle blew 566 mg/ltr. Fifteen minutes later a male driving his taxi home in the same area blew 829 mg/ltr.

"When you remember the limit is 400 mg/ltr these drivers are taking stupid risks which their children or passengers may well have to pay for. Children are very vulnerable in crashes and parents under the influence do not always check seat belts," says Senior Sergeant Neville Hyland. "If a vehicle is not up to scratch and warranted the factors are compounded."