A woman in South Australia has allegedly returned what might be the highest blood alcohol level reading ever recorded by the state’s police.

The 41-year-old woman was found asleep behind the wheel of car, which was parked with the engine still running, at a Strathalbyn petrol station late last night. 

Police allege that the woman returned a breathalyzer reading of 0.434, nearly nine times the legal limit.

Health experts say if that’s accurate, she’s lucky to be alive.

“In people who are non-dependant, people who are 0.4, 0.5 can actually be considered not compatible with life,” Dr Vicky Cock from the Drug and Alcohol Services South Australia said.

To reach a BAC of 0.434, a woman of average weight would need to consume a standard drink every 15 minutes for five consecutive hours, and it would take about 30 hours to sober up.

“I’m just grateful that they actually fell asleep at the service station, rather than being out on the road,” local Julie Paine said.

The 41-year-old woman is from Mannum, 54 kilometres from where police took her keys and car.

She has lost her licence for at least 12 months and will now be ordered to face court and the possibility of thousands of dollars in fines.