By CAM LUCADOU-WELLS
Drug-hit driver disqualified after erratic drive…
AN APPARENT drug-affected driver who repeatedly veered between lanes and grass verges in peak-time freeway traffic while slapping himself in the face to stay awake has conceded to a court he was lucky to survive.
Robert Valotto, 39, pleaded guilty to careless driving and refusing a police-administered drug test at a Dandenong Magistrates’ hearing on 2 November.
A witness had observed Valotto driving erratically outbound on Monash Freeway near Notting Hill about 4.45pm on 9 July.
As he approached the South Gippsland Freeway exit, Valotto was seen slapping himself in the face “to wake himself up”, police prosecutor Senior Constable Kimberley Hawkins told the court.
Police intercepted Valotto’s car at William Street, Cranbourne.
They noted a seemingly “intoxicated or drug affected” Valotto was unsteady on his feet, had bloodshot eyes and was oblivious to his dangerous driving, Sen Const Hawkins said.
Valotto told police, at the time, he refused a drug test because he feared he still had “weed” in his system.
The accused, who represented himself, told the court he had an opoid addiction in his twenties and been on a suboxone treatment program in his thirties.
He had since replaced suboxone with antidepressants, and believed a combination of the medication with cannabis use had caused side-effects during the incident.
He had since “stayed straight” and was seeing a psychologist.
During the incident, Valotto ruined his car by scraping it on concrete, he told the court.
“I haven’t driven it since I realised it was dangerous.”
Magistrate Jack Vandersteen said it was a “wonder” Valotto had driven so far without killing himself and others.
“I know,” Valotto replied. “I drove from the city to Cranbourne like that.”
Mr Vandersteen said Valotto appeared a bright, intelligent person dealt a “poor hand in life early on” and who had not offended in the past five years.
“It’s very rare we see someone of your age before the court.”
Valotto was convicted, disqualified from driving for two years and fined $750.
He was also placed on a 12-month good behaviour bond on the condition he continued his psychological treatment.
