Originally Posted by
sms316
This guy must have been legless...
Motorists on a far north Queensland highway had to swerve to avoid a motorised wheelchair being driven by a man who blew more than six times the blood alcohol limit.
Police found the 64-year-old allegedly asleep at the controls in a turning lane on the Captain Cook Highway at Stratford north of Cairns at 10am (AEST) last Friday.
A passing patrol officer noticed the man slumped in the wheelchair and, concerned for his health and safety, returned to assist.
Officers breathalysed the man when they smelt alcohol on him.
He blew .301, more than six times the legal limit.
He told police he was intending to travel 14km to Trinity Beach to visit a friend, most of it on the four-lane highway.
"We'll allege he placed himself in a very dangerous situation," Far Northern Region Traffic Coordinator Inspector Bob Waters said.
"People should be aware that drink-driving laws cover these kinds of vehicles, but also others like horses and bicycles.
The man was issued with a Notice to Appear at Cairns Magistrates Court on July 7.