Two years off road for twice d/driver

A TOOWOOMBA driver who twice blew low level alcohol readings within just over an hour of each other has been ordered off the road for more than two years.

Michael Robert Overton blew a breath-alcohol reading of 0.06 after being pulled over while driving on Russell St about 11.50pm, December 15, Toowoomba Magistrates Court heard.

He was released on bail and handed a notice suspending his driver’s licence for 24 hours.

However, at 12.54am the next morning, just over one hour later, the 60-year-old was again caught driving on Russell St, the court heard.

This time he blew 0.045 when, under the suspension notice, he was subject to a zero alcohol level.

The self-represented unemployed Wilsonton resident pleaded guilty to both drinkdriving offences and to driving while under licence suspension which brings a two-year mandatory driving disqualification.

Magistrate Damian Carroll noted Overton had a very good 40-year driving record and that he would pay a heavy price for this “error in judgment”.

“The bad news for you is you’re going to be off the road for a couple of years,” Mr Carroll told him.

Taking into account his otherwise good driving record and the amount of time he would be off the road, Mr Carroll fined Overton $300, which was converted to 15 hours of community service, and disqualified him from holding or obtaining a driver’s licence for one month on the first offence, three months on the second drink-drive and two years for driving while suspended.

Mr Carroll explained that the disqualification periods were cumulative, meaning he would be disqualified from driving for two years and four months.