Drink-drivers on notice as Great Southern cops turn up the heat

Roadside breath testing is back in full swing and police say a cluster of serious convictions should send a clear message to would-be drink-drivers: you will get caught. After a drop n breath testing at the height of coronavirus restrictions, Great Southern police have ramped up their testing regime on the region’s roads. And it seems their efforts are being reflected in Albany’s courthouse listings. In one week this month, Albany Magistrate Raelene Johnston disqualified the licences of six people who recorded a blood-alcohol level of 0.165 or more. Some of those drivers were warned they would face a prison sentence if they returned to court under similar circumstances. Acting Sergeant Owain Fiander — who is heading up the Great Southern Police District’s traffic unit — was stunned to hear one Denmark driver faced the court last week after blowing 0.241. That driver was found by local police stuck down the side of an embankment after missing a bottle shop turn-off. He admitted to officers at the time he was on his way to pick up more booze. “I don’t think I’ve really ever seen a reading that high in my career,” Acting Sgt Fiander said. “That’s quite alarming that someone would get behind the wheel of a car. “What can you say? You can’t really explain why people would make that choice — it beggars belief.” Between taxis, public transport and designated drivers, Acting Sgt Fiander said there was no justification for getting behind the wheel drunk. “If you’re going to drink, don’t plan on driving — that’s the simple message, we can’t be any clearer than that,” he said. “Because we’re out testing, and as you can see by what’s going through the courts at the moment, we are catching quite a few people doing it. “If people carry on like that, they will get caught.”