Drunk driver forced off the road until mid-November 2021

Ararat resident Mark Smith, 42, appeared in the Ararat Magistrates' Court today where he pleaded guilty to drunk driving.

The court heard that Smith was at Green Hill Lake on April 13 when police intercepted him attempting to drive away from the recreational area just before 7.50pm.

Smith underwent a preliminary breath test, which was positive, and he travelled to the Ararat Police station for a second test.

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At 8.42pm, Smith recorded a blood-alcohol concentration of 0.196 per cent, almost four times then the legal limit of 0.05.

Smith told police he had consumed about ten full-strength beers at Green Hill Lake before trying to drive home.

Officers issued Smith a Section 51 notice, immediately suspending his driver's licence.

Smith told Magistrate Robert Kumar, who appeared via video link from Melbourne, that he needed his licence to drive to work; however, Mr Kumar said drink driving penalties are mandatory.

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Mr Kumar cancelled Smith's licence and disqualified him from driving for 19 months, backdated to April 13, 2020.

The Magistrate fined Smith $1000.

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