THIRTY months without a licence was the penalty for driving while under the influence of alcohol for a repeat offender in Proserpine Magistrates Court.

Travis Scott Dunne was also sentenced to a nine-month probation order after recording a blood-alcohol reading of 0.237.

The court heard how Dunne, 38, was stopped by police patrols at about 7pm after he was spotted "dangerously tailgating" near the median line on Shingley Dr, Airlie Beach.

"When asked if he had been drinking he replied, 'Of course I have been f***ing drinking but why are you dealing with me when those c***s in front are driving so slowly,' " police prosecutor Elizabeth Smith said.

"A roadside test proved positive and he was taken to the watchhouse."

Defence solicitor Cleo Rewald said Dunne had no excuse or reason for driving that evening.

"He had been drinking with friends and he can't say why he drove and he knows he should not have driven and he doesn't have an answer. It was a poor decision," Ms Rewald said.

"The last eight months he's been on antidepressant medication and has worked through counselling in regard to his alcohol and drug addictions.

"He doesn't drink often but when he does it could be likened to binge drinking."

Magistrate Simon Young said it was a very serious offence and within range of a suspended sentence.

"Fines for this level of offending would be poten

tially crippling," he said.

"I have been urged to consider a period of probation today and it's an option, but a suspended sentence is also an option.

"Your history does speak against you and it requires me to escalate the penalty. The reading is very high and you were a danger to yourself and the public.

"You have done this before and therefore a personal deterrence is required because if this behaviour was repeated, we should have concerns for other road users."