A motorbike rider returned a high-range drink-driving reading after he was stopped on the Mitchell Highway on September 15.
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Keiran Jame Bullock, 47, of Frost Street, was arrested and returned a reading of 0.227.
According to police, Bullock was riding a blue and white Honda road bike, and at about 10.45am he was seen by police turning onto the Mitchell Highway in front of an oncoming vehicle without giving way.
Police said Bullock was weaving around inside his own lane before turning onto McLachlan Street, where he almost mounted the gutter.
MAP: Where the man was spotted by police …
Due to his manner of driving, police stopped him for a random breath test and said while they talked to him they could smell alcohol, and Bullock swayed while he walked.
Bullock was arrested and taken to Orange Police Station for breath analysis where he admitted to drinking red wine. He said he had his last drink at 8.45am that morning.
Bullock represented himself in court and said he a recent realisation had change his perspective on his actions.
"I had an epiphany: if I came off the bike and went under a truck, it's not all about me, it's about everyone else," he said.
At that reading you were an accident waiting to occur. You were on a motorcycle, [there's] no safety restraints.
- Magistrate David Day
In response to Bullock's statement magistrate David Day reaffirmed Bullock's observation, and mentioned the trauma experienced by first responders and emergency service personnel, as well as other people who are affected by fatal road incidents.
"At that reading you were an accident waiting to occur," Mr Day said.
"You were on a motorcycle, [there's] no safety restraints."
For high-range drink driving, Mr Day gave Bullock a two-year community correction order and 200 hours of community service.
"You are not going to jail today, do it again and you are at risk," Mr Day said.
Mr Day also disqualified Bullock's driver's licence for three months and placed him on a 24-month interlock order.
"I note you were suspended [by police for this matter] for a lengthy period," the magistrate said.
Mr Day said Bullock also had a prior high-range conviction, but it was from last century so did not count when it came to sentencing.
After reading a pre-sentencing report that was tendered to the court, Mr Day said Bullock told the report writer he had a lot to drink but didn't think his consumption was excessive.
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