A Gold Coast Tesla driver could be forced to pay thousands of dollars in fines – and spend time behind bars – after being charged with drink-driving twice within three hours.
At midday on April 12, 2024, Queensland Police Service officers pulled over a Tesla Model Y on Mount Nathan Road after detecting the electric SUV travelling at 28km/h above the posted speed limit.
The Tesla’s 50-year-old driver subsequently returned a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) result of 0.199 per cent – almost four times the legal limit of 0.05 per cent.
Her licence was suspended immediately and she was charged with driving under the influence, which can attract a fine of up to $4334 and a nine-month imprisonment.
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The woman was observed by police officers until she received a lift, which came in the form of a ride-share vehicle.
However, at 2:50pm on the same day, the Tesla Model Y was seen driving on nearby Beaudesert-Nerang Road.
Upon pulling over the Tesla, officers found the woman back behind the wheel. She returned a positive roadside breath test and was then taken to Coomera Police Station, where a subsequent test returned a BAC of 0.183 per cent.
She was charged with driving under the influence again, as well as driving while disqualified – which can lead to a further two- to five-year driving ban.
The 50-year-old will face Southport Magistrates Court on May 1.