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Noosa man loses licence for 10 months after drink driving on motorised esky

A Noosa man has lost his licence for 10 months and was fined $500 for driving a motorised esky while drunk.


Police caught Chris Petrie driving the esky along Noosa Parade just before midnight on June 16.

When breath tested (we doubt it was a ‘random breath test’), the 23-year-old blew 0.160 – more than three times the legal limit. He did not have his driver’s licence with him at the time of the incident.

The eksy in question is powered by a 50cc two-stroke engine and has a top speed of 20km/h.

In court yesterday, Mr Petrie’s lawyer told Magistrate John Parker his client was not aware that an esky was classified as a vehicle.

In delivering his verdict, Mr Parker admitted he had to consult the statue to confirm that a motorised esky qualified as a motor vehicle.

“It's an unfortunate situation. If he'd been drunk on a horse he'd have been okay,” Mr Parker said, as reported by News Ltd.

"Never the less you were in a motor vehicle... on a motor vehicle... and there must be a penalty."

Mr Petrie was charged with drink driving and driving without a licence.

Mr Petrie admitted he had done the wrong thing, and joked that he may sell the motorised esky – which he spent $600 on – to pay his fine.

What do you think? Did Mr Petrie deserve to lose his licence, or is it a bit ridiculous to ban someone for driving an esky? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.

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