Never again: drink-driver

Lawrence Wharerau has changed his ways after drink-driving cost him years of his life and thousands of dollars.
The 46-year-old Whangarei man said he drove drunk hundreds of times, putting his and other people's lives at risk, but at the time he "just didn't care".
"I felt 10-foot tall and bullet proof. I knew it was dangerous but I just didn't think about the consequences," he said.
Mr Wharerau was first caught drink-driving 22 years ago - but that didn't stop him driving drunk countless times since then.
His high tolerance for alcohol and impaired judgment led him to believe he was "sweet to drive", he said.
It was only when he realised how much the crime was holding him back that he left it behind.
"I had lost so much. Too much had been put on the line. I lost my freedom."
Mr Wharerau was fined thousands of dollars and spent years working off community service and periodic detention. He also lost his driver's licence and consequently his job as a film production assistant.
"That's nothing to what could have happened."
He was also sick of the burden he had become on his family and friends and took the chance to "straighten out" by putting his hand up for the Drink Impaired Driver course, which rehabilitates recidivist drink drivers.
The five times Mr Wharerau was caught drink driving by police since the age of 24 barely scratched the surface of how many times he had driven under the influence, he said.
"I did it so many times and never got caught. I just thought, `bugger it, I can get away with this'."
Mr Wharerau has now completed the course and encourages others to do so.
"It was so good for me. The best thing I could have done ... They don't say `You're a bad boy' and slap you on the hand, they give you the tools to cope."
Mr Wharerau can re-sit his driver's licence in March.
"I don't hate drink drivers, I used to be one. But I would never do it again."