A magistrate has told a young man who drove while three times over the legal alcohol limit that he needs to be a better role model if he wants to finish his studies and become a teacher.
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Jai Lindsay Miller, 23, was sentenced in Wollongong Local Court on Tuesday for high range drink driving.
Magistrate Gabriel Fleming said she got a "shiver down her spine" when she found out the Towradgi resident had driven too fast, with no lights and three times over the limit.
"You were not up to the complex task of driving," she said. "You are a relatively young and inexperienced driver. You fit the profile of the driver who ends up in a wheelchair.
"We are sick of our sons, brothers and husbands dying on the road."
Magistrate Fleming told Miller he had to "start living up to" being a role model in the community if he wanted to become a teacher.
Documents tendered to court said Miller came under the notice of police about 9.45pm on June 19 along Kembla Street when they saw a silver Subaru station wagon, without headlight on, going "well above" the 50km/h speed limit.
Officers followed the car around the corner and signalled for the driver to pull over.
Officers reported it was "immediately evident" Miller had been drinking as they could smell liquor on him, his eyes were watery and bloodshot, and he was slurring his words. Miller admitted to drinking alcohol.
After returning a positive roadside breath test, Miller was arrested and taken to Wollongong Police Station where he blew a reading of 0.172.
Miller told officers he had consumed at least four schooners of beer and at least another four cans of beer in under five hours without eating food.
His licence was suspended on the spot.
In court, defence lawyer Matt Ward said Miller had been working at Woolworths before he went to his friend's house for a party and started drinking.
Mr Ward said Miller realised he had to move his car as he had parked in a bus zone and was not planning on driving home that night.
But he "made a poor mistake to drive a short distance" which was when police stopped him.
Mr Ward said Miller was studying to be a primary school teacher at the University of Wollongong and needed his licence to get to his job.
Mr Ward also said his client had a fairly good driving record and the "court process had done its job in hammering home the seriousness" of his actions.
Miller was fined $1400, disqualified for driving for nine months and will need to have an interlock device fitted to his car for 24 months.
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