Device could have saved drink-driver

IF JEFFREY Leslie Laurie had an anti-drink- driving interlock device fitted to his car as he should have had, he would not have been caught drink-driving again, a magistrate told him.

Laurie, 37, was ordered to have the interlock device fitted to his car until August 20 next year, but told police he couldn’t afford the $2000 to have the device attached.

Convicted repeat drink-drivers and drivers who record a breath alcohol reading of 0.15 or higher must by court order have the device fitted at their own cost, usually up to $2000.

The interlock system is connected to the offending driver’s ignition and will allow the vehicle to start only if the driver records a clean breath test.

Laurie was pulled over by police on the New England Hwy, Blue Mountain Heights, at 2.50pm on August 11, and blew a breath/alcohol reading of 0.103, Toowoomba Magistrates Court heard.

Police checks of his driving record found he should have had an interlock device attached.

Magistrate Damian Carroll said it was the first time he had had an offender before him who had ignored the court order to have the device fitted to a designated vehicle.

Solicitor David Burns, for Laurie, told the court that as a result of this latest drink-driving offence his client was receiving counselling for alcohol issues.

Mr Carroll fined Laurie $1500 and disqualified him from driving for four months on the drink-driving charge and three months for failing to have the interlock device fitted.