A woman has been charged and her licence suspended after she was allegedly drink-driving with a child in the car in the state’s south.
Just after 5pm yesterday (Thursday 4 June 2020), officers from the Traffic and Highway Patrol Command were conducting stationary speed-enforcement duties on Kosciuszko Road at Coolringdon, about 12km west of Cooma, when they were flagged down by a 13-year-old female passenger in a Hyundai Tucson SUV.
Police will allege in court that the girl told officers the driver, a 38-year-old woman, had been driving dangerously and was under the influence of alcohol.
The driver underwent a roadside breath test which allegedly returned a positive result.
She was arrested and taken to Cooma Police Station, where she underwent a breath analysis test that returned an alleged reading of 0.210.
The Berridale woman was charged with drive with high-range PCA and is due to appear before Cooma Local Court on Wednesday 5 August 2020.
The woman’s licence was suspended and confiscated.
A child-at-risk notification has also been made.
Traffic and Highway Patrol Commander, Assistant Commissioner Michael Corboy, reminded the community that Operation Stay Alert had commenced, and double demerits were in effect.
“Our officers are out in force for Operation Stay Alert to detect people who are driving dangerously and drivers that are selfish enough to put other road users at risk with their reckless choices,” Assistant Commissioner Corboy said.
“With this incident, the quick-thinking actions of this young girl in notifying police potentially saved both of their lives.
“If you get behind the wheel while under the influence, you will be caught, and you will have to face the consequences of your actions.”
Anyone with information about dangerous driving is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or . Information is treated in strict confidence.