A drunk taxi driver carrying a passenger was one of four drivers caught with a medium-range blood-alcohol reading last weekend, as part of a targeted NT Police traffic operation that saw 165 drivers tested through two random breath testing stations in Darwin and Palmerston, police said.
Darwin Traffic Operations intercepted a total of 17 drivers committing unsafe acts on the road, with eight infringements issued for various offences, including speeding and driving unregistered vehicles, and another six cautions issued.
Police said one driver was found travelling at 140km/h in a 100km zone along Tiger Brennan Drive and was arrested after returning a positive roadside breath test, later retuning a high range result of 0.235 per cent at the Palmerston watch house, nearly five times the legal limit.
The man, whose age was not released, was also driving an unregistered vehicle, police said.
“While most motorists displayed responsible driver behaviour, a disappointing few continued to make decisions that put their own life and the lives of others sharing the roads at risk,” Sergeant Cameron Bellis said.
“As a result of these offences, multiple people are now facing court and are likely to receive significant licence disqualifications,” he said.
The Traffic Operations Unit prioritises road safety through enforcement and education, regularly conducting traffic patrols and random breath and drug testing in Darwin and surrounding areas.
Operations aim to address offenses like speeding, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and operating unregistered vehicles, police said.
“Territory Road Policing officers will continue to target the Fatal Five, and if you choose to drink and drive, you will face the consequences,” said Acting Senior Sergeant Aaron Evans.
Name and shame the Professional Taxi Driver who was intoxicated and the company he works for!
A shamed Taxi company would implement procedures to mitigate any more detrimental media exposure.