Wheelchair man 'over the limit'

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Police in the northern Australian city of Cairns have charged a man with drink-driving - in a motorised wheelchair.

Patrol officers found the man stopped and fast asleep in his wheelchair in the exit lane of a major highway at 1000 (0000 GMT) on Friday.

He had a blood alcohol level of 0.31 - six times over the legal alcohol limit.

When police woke him up, the man told them he had been on his way to visit friends.

A local police inspector said that man's actions were a recipe for disaster.

"It's unlawful, it is unacceptable and people should realise it could lead to a fatality," Bob Walters told the Cairns Post newspaper.

Horses, bicycles, in-line skates and skateboards were also considered vehicles under drink-driving laws, he added.

The man is due to appear in court on 7 July.