THE message you can’t drink and drive is being lost on P-plate drivers who are coming before Orange Local Court in increased numbers.
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Orange solicitor Tim Dalla said P-plate drivers seem oblivious to the fact they are already on the police radar.
“When you’ve got a P-plate on your car you are automatically a cop magnet, so drinking and driving is not a wise thing to do,” Mr Dalla said.
Fellow solicitor Michael Madden said he recently represented a young female P-plate driver who had a couple of drinks, but decided to wait before she drove back home to Clifton Grove.
“She sat in her car in the car park for a couple of hours thinking it would be alright to drive but the reality is when you are on P-plates you can’t drink and drive at all,” he said.
Mr Dalla said as the parent of a teenager on P-plates it is important for family and friends to constantly remind young drivers of their obligations under the law when it comes to drinking and getting behind the wheel.
“We need to just keep reinforcing with young people on P-plates they can’t drink and drive,” he said.
Mr Dalla said P-plate drivers are still under the misapprehension they can have a drink and drive if they wait a certain amount of time after consuming their last drink.
“They seem to think that the alcohol has metabolised.
“Also if they go on a blinder the night before, they think if they get up and have a shower and something to eat the next day they are fine to drive - but that’s simply not the case,” he said.
Several young drivers many of whom have only had their provisional licence for a few weeks have found themselves off the road for months after being pulled over by police and testing positively to alcohol in Orange and district and subsequently having their licence suspended.
“It’s a zero tolerance when it comes to alcohol consumption and P-platers,” said Mr Dalla.
janice.harris@fairfaxmedia.com.au