Waikato speeders alarm police

Police in Waikato say "low-flying" speeding drivers are accidents waiting to happen.

During the weekend three motorists, all under 25, were caught speeding, one doing nearly 190kmh in a 100kmh zone.

Acting Waikato road policing manager, Senior Sergeant Jeff Penno, said they were alarmed at the apparent disregard for the law, public safety and court imposed sanctions drivers showed.

First, an 18-year-old engineer was clocked driving his Nissan car over the brow of a hill on Hamilton's southern outskirts at 152kmh. That section of road had an 85kmh speed advisory.

Mr Penno said the driver had appeared in court the day before on a charge of unnecessary exhibition of speed and was in complete denial he could, or would crash.

"The driver said he was out testing his car because it had a fault and went so far as to blame police as the reason he would lose his job."

The driver was charged with dangerous driving.

Police then about 10.30pm checked a Mitsubishi travelling south towards Huntly at 181kmh.

Police chased the 20-year-old driver but he refused to stop and the chase was called off.

He continued to drive at 160kmh, often on the wrong side of the road. He crashed and was found near his car.

He was over the legal breath-alcohol limit and charged with reckless driving, failing to stop, excess breath alcohol and driving while disqualified.

In the third incident another Mitsubishi was being handled "like a low-flying aircraft" between Hamilton and Morrinsville by a 24-year-old driver.

"The car was recorded travelling at 173kmh in an 80kmh speed zone. When stopped the driver said he was just showing off," Mr Penno said.

Mr Penno said two of the drivers had recently been in court for similar offending.

"We are extremely fortunate that neither of these individuals' selfish acts resulted in the tragic loss of not only their own lives but those of other innocent road users."

- NZPA