A teenage P-plater who flipped his Toyota LandCruiser while trying to move it to a sleeping spot has been convicted and fined $1000. The 18-year-old, who cannot be legally named, appeared before Wollongong Local Court on January 27, where he pleaded guilty to mid-range drink-driving.
Court documents state the Illawarra teen had been drinking Great Northern beer opposite Stanwell Park on the night of November 28. He went to move his vehicle, which had been parked along Park Parade, and flipped it between Hillside Crescent and The Drive.
The crash caused significant damage to the vehicle and a large amount of oil leaked onto the road. Police, Ambulance and NSW Fire Brigade attended the scene, where the teenager was breath-tested. He was arrested and taken to Corrimal Police Station, where he gave a second positive alcohol reading of 0.142. His Provisional 1 licence, which has a zero alcohol limit, was suspended on the spot.
In court, defence lawyer Matthew Barnes said his client had been at the beach drinking with friends and went to move his car further away from the group so he could sleep. 'It could've ended up much worse than it did,' Mr Barnes said.
Magistrate Gabriel Fleming denounced the teen's actions, highlighting how young men are over-represented in drink-driving deaths. 'You had a terrible collision, thankfully you got out of it after flipping the car,' Magistrate Fleming said. 'We're sick of seeing our young men having accidents and dying on the road or ending up disabled. If you want to stay alive, you have to recognise driving is a privilege.'
The teen was banned from driving for four months and fined $1000. Once the disqualification period is complete, he must have an alcohol interlock device installed in his vehicle for one year.
