Drink driver blew 0.132 on Southern 80 weekend

When questioned by magistrate Melissa Humphries, Clarke, who was representing himself, said he made the decision to drive after a friend asked if they could be picked up due to a “lack of taxis”.

He said his reason for speeding was because he “thought he was in a different speed zone” to what he was in.

Ms Humphries told the court Clarke “drank 10 beers in six hours” before getting behind the wheel and blowing 0.132.

She said although this was not his first speeding offence, it was his first drink driving offence.

In fining Clarke, Ms Humphries said she had taken into account that “public transport alternatives are limited in the country” and that the offending had occurred in an area that Clarke was “unfamiliar with”.

Clarke was fined $900 and has been disqualified from driving for nine months.

He must also undertake a traffic offenders’ program.