Police intercepted a driver allegedly travelling more than three times over the legal alcohol limit who tried to evade a random breath testing site in Launceston this week.
The 27-year-old South Launceston man returned a reading of 0.153 after being stopped on Thursday.
Police say he fled the testing site before being intercepted a short time later.
He was arrested and charged with aggravated evade and drink driving, with his licence disqualified immediately for 12 months.
“He will also appear in court at a later date and be subject to an additional penalty and licence disqualification,” police said.
The arrest was one of three drink driving detections made by officers during operations along the Bass Highway and at the Launceston breath testing site, which targeted patrons leaving the AFL.
A 25-year-old man from Devonport was clocked at 143km/h on the Bass Highway at Hagley – 31km/h over the limit – and returned a reading of 0.071.
He was also arrested and charged.
A 52-year-old man from East Launceston blew 0.085 and will be proceeded against, facing a three-month disqualification.
The operations form part of National Road Safety Week, with police focusing on the ‘Fatal Five’ – speed, drink and drug driving, seatbelts, distraction and fatigue.
Police say patrols will continue across the weekend, including at the V8 Supercars round at Symmons Plains.
“The message is simple – never drink and drive,” police said.
“It’s never worth the risk to you or other road users.”
“Always remembers police can be anywhere, anytime.”
