Police have released bodycam vision of the moment an officer had to wake an alleged drunk-driver who had fallen asleep at a set of traffic lights.
The incident happened at about 1am on Sunday along Maroochydore Rd, Maroochydore in the heart of Queensland’s Sunshine Coast.
The footage shows an officer approaching the passenger-side door of a silver mini-van stopped at a set of traffic lights.
The officer opens the door and a man can be seen sitting, unmoving, in the driver’s seat. Music blares from the car stereo. The driver doesn’t react to the officer’s voice or flashlight.
“Hey mate … wake up! Police, mate,” says the officer, before moving to the driver’s door and managing to rouse him.
The footage cuts to the man standing outside the car, taking a roadside breath test.
The device flashes red and starts beeping loudly: “This device indicates you’re under the influence of alcohol,” the officers tells them man.
Queensland Police said the 21-year-old allegedly returned a BAC of 0.190 – the legal limit on a full license is 0.05.
He has been charged with one count of drink driving.
The footage was released by Queensland Police as part of Operation Victor Easter, with a compilation of clips pieced together to show six people charged in the early days of the road safety blitz.
Among others charged under the Operation, which runs April 1-16 are:
A 24-year-old Robina man who was allegedly clocked at 165km/h in a 100km zone along Pacific Hwy through Worongary at about 7am on Sunday.
A 28-year-old Harlaxton man who was allegedly clocked at 168km/h in a 100 zone along Warrego Hwy through Grantham about 4pm Saturday.
A 54-year-old Roma man who was allegedly clocked at 144km/h in a 100 zone along Warrego Highway in Brigalow at about 10am Saturday.
All three have been fined $1653 and have lost eight demerit points.
A 26-year-old Jensen woman has been charged with one count of drink driving, allegedly returning a BAC of 0.203, following a single vehicle crash on Railway Ave at Railway Estate at about 3.30am on Saturday. She is due in court on April 6 and has had her license suspended.
And a 27-year-old man has been charged with one count of drink driving, allegedly returning a BAC of 0.153, following an RBT in Yeppoon at about 11am on Saturday. His license has been suspended and he’s due in court on April 20.
QPS Acting Assistant Commissioner Chris Stream said the school holiday periods always attracts increased traffic on the state’s roads, with families eager to get to their destinations while travelling in unfamiliar areas.
“Day or night, ensure you drive to the conditions; don’t speed or drive while affected by drugs or alcohol,” Acting Assistant Commissioner Stream said.
“Expect to see police conducting roadside operations and patrolling our roads, doing everything we can to reduce road trauma and keep Queenslanders safe.”