Christchurch man Rizvy Farhaz, 38, was found drink driving behind the wheel of a heavy truck and trailer.

On November 27, Farhaz had been signalled to stop for a police inspection at the Rakaia southbound commercial vehicle safety centre, before the bridge into Rakaia.

He failed to stop and was observed weaving and crossing the centre line before finally pulling over in Chertsey.

It was his second high breath alcohol reading as an adult, lawyer Tiffany McRae said.

“He acknowledges it did take him some time to stop, but with a heavy truck and trailer, he needed to find an appropriate place to stop,” she told Judge Neave.

“I find it very difficult to believe there was nowhere for you to stop between Rakaia and Chertsey,” Neave said.

McRae said a sentence of community work and supervision would be appropriate, as well as the minimum disqualification period of six months.

Neave said he would usually disqualify someone for nine months for a second offence.

“The fact is he’s driving one of these big rigs with alcohol.”

Farhaz was convicted, fined $1000 and court costs, and disqualified from driving for nine months.

He was also disqualified from driving a transport service vehicle for a year.

By Anisha Satya