Police slam drivers who are drinking

Drunk drivers are causing chaos on Waitara's streets – and bottle stores are getting some of the blame.

In the last 10 days a 21-year-old man with a breath alcohol reading of 1025mcg, more than 2 1/2 times the legal limit of 400mcg, knocked down two lamp posts on North St, another driver with a breath alcohol level of 825mcg crashed into a roundabout in the centre of town while a third was caught on the main street with a reading of 917mcg.

Another driver ploughed into a pedestrian crossing sign, metal pole and wooden box, smashing them. Police suspect alcohol was involved and are waiting for the results of a blood test.

The accidents have come under the spotlight with the Liquor Licensing Authority refusing an application for another off-licence in the town.

Waitara has two pubs, two clubs and alcohol is also sold at New World Supermarket and Four-Square grocery store at the Challenge service station.

Senior Sergeant Matt Prendergast says the number of liquor outlets in the town were contributing to the carnage. He said off-licences were the soft belly for drunk drivers.

"When they are drinking in a bar, they are being monitored," he said. "When that person goes and buys that box of beer from the off-licence, nobody knows what the outcome will be."

Mr Prendergast said quite often police were dealing with recidivist offenders, a small percentage of the community, who were showing a blatant disregard for public safety.

"You've seen the carnage it caused to the pole, what if that was a person? There is little doubt in my mind that you would end up with a dead person."

Taranaki rural area commander Inspector Frank Grant said police had caught more drink drivers this year than they did in 2008. "It seems to have turned a little bit, it seems like they just don't care."

- © Fairfax NZ News