Two men were arrested in different instances as both attempted to evade police on Thursday, Waikato Times reports.
The first incident occurred between 3 a.m. and 6 a.m. when a driver allegedly fled onto railway tracks in a DUI Drink Driving state while attempting to Evade Police.
Officers chased the vehicle but after a short distance abandoned the pursuit.
Reports show that not long after the chase, they saw the driver travel up on the railway for 100 meters before leaving the tracks and swerving on the grassed area, and then crashing on the other side of the road.
Police reported that the driver was DUI Drink Driving when he hit a tree as he went onto the tracks.
Soon after, he lost control again and crashed into a fence.
There was minor damage to a signal box on the tracks, KiwiRail contractors reported.
The DUI Drink Driving man was taken to Waikato Hospital for the injuries he sustained.
He faces charges for DUI Drink Driving and Dangerous Driving.
The second incident was just before 6 a.m. when a man attempted to Evade Police, using the fact that he was running late for work as an excuse.
Police attempted to pull him over but the driver continued at high speeds for about 3KM before pulling into a local business.
He was arrested on the spot.
His car was impounded and will face court at a later date.
Queenslanders charged with DUI Drink Driving, Drug Driving or Fail To Provide Specimen face a maximum penalty of a lifetime driver’s licence disqualification, 9 months imprisonment and 28 penalty units.
Persons charged with Careless Driving (Drive Without Due Care & Attention) face a maximum penalty of a lifetime driver’s licence disqualification, 6 months imprisonment and 40 penalty units.
Queenslanders charged with Dangerous Driving, which is a Criminal offence, face a maximum penalty, depending upon the circumstances of aggravation, of 5 years imprisonment, 200 penalty units and a lifetime driver’s licence disqualification.
Persons charged with Disqualified Driving face a maximum penalty of a lifetime driver’s licence disqualification, 12 months imprisonment and 40 penalty units.
Queenslanders charged with Evade Police a maximum penalty of 3 years imprisonment, 200 penalty units and a lifetime licence disqualification.
Persons charged with Repeat DUI Drink Driving, Repeat Drug Driving, Repeat Fail To Provide Specimen, or a Repeat combination of these offences, face a maximum penalty of a lifetime driver’s licence disqualification, 18 months imprisonment and 60 penalty units.
A penalty unit in Queensland is currently worth $113.85.
In addition to the above penalties, anyone who pleads or is found guilty in the Magistrates Court must pay the Offender Levy, which is presently worth $110.90.
Magistrates have a general power to impose up to a lifetime driver’s licence disqualification, above and beyond any legislated disqualification ranges.
Wiseman Lawyers specialise in DUI Drink Driving, Drug Driving, Careless & Dangerous Driving, Evade Police and Drug, Alcohol & Traffic offences.