Two Tasmanian motorists have been immediately stripped of their licences this Christmas after refusing to cooperate with police breath tests.
A 53-year-old woman from Spreyton received a two-year driving disqualification after crashing her vehicle into the wall of the Bottle-O bottleshop on Wilson Street in Burnie at approximately 5pm on Christmas Eve.
Police observed the woman to be highly intoxicated, but she refused both a roadside breath test and subsequent breath analysis while in custody.
No injuries were reported in the crash, though police are seeking witnesses or dash-cam footage of the incident.
In a separate incident, a 33-year-old man received an instant 12-month disqualification after failing to provide a breath analysis sample during a traffic stop in Ulverstone, despite initially complying with a roadside test.
He was issued with an immediate disqualification notice, prohibiting him from driving for a period of 12 months. Police say further court proceedings and sanctions are likely to follow.
Acting Sergeant Madison Hickman from Burnie Police reminded motorists that refusing breath tests carries penalties equivalent to high-range drink driving offences.
“Refusing a breath test carries serious penalties and impaired driving places the community at significant risk,” Hickman said.
Police said an additional four motorists were detected driving with illicit drugs in their systems on Christmas Eve in Tasmania’s Western District.
The incidents occurred during Operation Safe Arrival, Tasmania Police’s holiday road safety campaign targeting impaired driving during the festive season.
Police are encouraging the public to report dangerous driving to 131 444, or Triple Zero (000) in emergencies.
