Article: Sunbus driver DUI on way to work

[Sunbus610]

Sunbus driver DUI on way to work.
Nikkii Joyce | 23rd September 2009

A SUNBUS driver on his way to work has been charged with driving while more than three times over the legal limit.

The 46-year-old Dicky Beach man is alleged to have recorded a blood alcohol level of 0.131 when he was stopped on Caloundra Road at Meridan Plains at 1.20pm on Monday.

Police said the man was stopped after they allegedly clocked his car, using a hand-held radar gun, doing 103kmh in a 80kmh zone.

The Sunbus driver of two months, who was also charged with speeding, has been sacked by Sunbus.

A spokeswoman for Sunbus parent company, Transit Australia Group, said there was never any threat to the safety of bus passengers, even if police had not intervened.

?We believe this to be a first time incident,? Transit Australia Group strategic planning and delivery manager Megan Harkin said yesterday.

?We have our own random breath test equipment, practice and procedures that anyone who displays any signs or symptoms of being under the influence would be tested,?she said.

?We are pretty thorough.?

Ms Harkin confirmed the 46-year-old Sunbus driver had been sacked.

?It is very disappointing, not only for us but for the other drivers,? she said.

?We spend so much time and money investing in the safety of our passengers and most of our drivers have impeccable records.?

Sunshine Coast police superintendent Ben Hanbidge said he was appalled but not surprised by the latest addition to the Coast's growing list of alleged daytime drink drivers.

?Not only is this further evidence of the day-time drink-driving problem that we have on the Coast, it is also evidence of the scant regard this bloke seems to have for other people,? he said.

?We are talking about a supposedly mature 46-year-old man, heading off to work to drive a bus in school holiday traffic, nearly three times the legal limit.?

Supt Hanbidge said it was pure luck these ?foolish? drink drivers had not contributed to the spiralling road toll.

He urged the public to continue their zero tolerance for identifying drink drivers or erratic motorists by calling police.

Transit Australia Group said Queensland Transport revoke bus driver authorisation on conviction of any drink driving charge over the legal 0.05 limit.

The man will appear at Caloundra Magistrates Court at a date to be determined.

Sunshine Coast Daily (newspaper) link HERE