A SOUTH East woman who crashed a vehicle into roadside shrubbery while intoxicated has been disqualified from driving for six months.
The 21 year old appeared in the Mount Gambier Magistrates Court on Tuesday for driving with an excess blood alcohol reading and breaching a condition of her provisional license.
The prosecutor said the woman recorded a blood alcohol reading of 0.102 on January 28 while driving on Glenelg River Road.
The prosecutor said at around 3.30pm, a male passenger in the car recalled seeing a large amount of dust before realising the car had left the road and crashed.
“The witness then noticed she was drinking an alcoholic can while driving,” he said.
When police arrived at the scene at around 4pm, the prosecutor said officers reported tire marks and shrub debris on the road with the car stopped in roadside shrubbery.
“The defendant was agitated with police and attempted to continue drinking her alcoholic beverage,” the prosecutor said.
“She had already merged onto the side of the road and when she attempted to merge back she lost control.
“This is quite a serious example of lack of concentration.”
The defendant’s lawyer said his client was on a mental health plan and had connected with headspace to combat drinking issues.
“My client believes on the day of offending she had been drinking in excess,” he said.
“She works part-time and is looking at pursuing a career in education.
“My client can afford to pay any sentenced fee.”
Magistrate Maria Panagiotidis said drink driving charges impacted the whole community.
“It is a serious matter, albeit being her first offence,” she said.
“I am pleased you have acknowledged you have a problem with alcohol which is important at your young age.”
The woman received a $1700 fine and was ordered to pay $950 in court fees.
