Police stunned by drink driving results

Police are astounded a Bay of Plenty man, caught more than three and a half times the legal limit, was able to co-ordinate himself to drive.

The 40-year-old planner returned a breath test reading of 1440 micrograms of alcohol per litre of breath (mcg) at 9.30am in Mt Maunganui today. He was caught after concerned members of the public called police about his erratic driving. '

The legal adult alcohol limit is 400mcg.

Senior sergeant Glenn Saunders said it was "an absolute recipe for disaster" that the man got behind the wheel so far over the legal limit.

"It was raining and this man drove along one of the busiest roads in the area, past the Harbourside Netball Courts and nearby Blake Park where literally hundreds of children and their supporters gather for weekend junior sport," he said.

"It astounds me how the man managed to coordinate himself to drive while so drunk."

The man was released to appear in the Tauranga District Court next week.

His was not the only high reading.

Two Waikato motorists were caught driving at more than two and a half times the legal alcohol limit yesterday.

Waikato Road Policing Manager Inspector Leo Tooman said two drivers had been charged for breath alcohol test results exceeding 1000 micrograms.

"A driver blew 1002mcg in Ngaruawahia shortly after 8pm yesterday and has been charged with third or subsequent excess breath alcohol and this follows on from a driver stopped around 2.15am yesterday who also blew over 1000mcg."

Waikato police have attended eight vehicle crashes since the official Queen's Birthday holiday period began at 4pm yesterday.

"In the most concerning incident, it appears the driver of a Subaru has got out of his car and assaulted the elderly driver of a Toyota before fleeing the scene following a collision on Cobham Drive about 9.30am," Mr Tooman said.

Police hoped the continuing rain would slow drivers down.

The speed tolerance for the long weekend has been lowered to 4kmh.

- NZPA