A Dunedin drink-driver has claimed the alcohol interlock in his vehicle system malfunctions because of spicy food.
David Wayne Mauger (50) was convicted of aggravated drink-driving and issued with an alcohol-interlock licence in August last year.
The device is fitted in a vehicle so it will start only if the driver gives a breath sample with zero alcohol.
On March 11, he was seen driving in Fairlie-Tekapo Rd at Burkes Pass, where he was required to complete a roadside breath test which revealed a level of 241mcg.
Mauger claimed he had been on his way home with his family when he got into an argument with his son.
He said his partner, who had been driving at the time, exited the vehicle with his son, leaving Mauger alone with the keys still in the ignition.
The engine was left running, which allowed the defendant to bypass his alcohol-interlock device as he hopped in the driver’s seat.
When stopped by police, the defendant admitted downing seven stubbies of beer.
While Mauger pleaded guilty to the offence, he was critical of the alcohol-interlock device which he said had repeatedly malfunctioned due to his intake of "spicy food".
"I’ve been doing this a long time and I’ve never heard that before, community magistrate Jan Holmes said.
Mauger was fined $250, ordered to pay court costs of $130 and had his alcohol-interlock sentence reimposed.
