The 48-year-old woman blew 0.308 – more than six times the limit – about 4.30pm yesterday after driving between Bendigo and Castlemaine. 

Sergeant Mick McCrann said police were alerted to the Nissan driver at 3.30pm and set up a breath-testing site on the Midland Highway in Castlemaine. 

“A member of the highway patrol unit at Bendigo observed the vehicle conducting a U-turn away from the site,” he said. 

“She was taken back to Castlemaine for a breath test, which resulted in a reading of .308. 

“She was subsequently arrested and the psychiatric services were contacted, and she was conveyed to Bendigo Hospital for treatment.”

Sergeant McCrann said people were barely in control of their faculties at such a reading.

“It’s obviously disgusting,” he said. “It’s one of the highest readings we’ve had in Bendigo. 

“And considering the time of day, on a school day with so many vehicles on the road at that time, it’s just insane that somebody would consume that much alcohol and even attempt to drive a car.

“Driving with that high an alcohol reading is one of the most serious risks of being involved in a serious or fatal collision.” 

The woman’s licence was immediately suspended.

She will be charged on summons. 

“It was a successful outcome by police, who were assisted by the public that gave us that information,” Sergeant McCrann said. 

“The message is people need to have a serious look at drinking alcohol and attempting to drive a motor vehicle.

“I’d also encourage members of the public, if they suspect someone may be driving under the influence, to call 000. 

“This is the perfect example of police acting on information given to us.”