A driver who rear-ended a car stopped at a pedestrian crossing was still affected by alcohol from the night before, Masterton District Court heard on Monday.
Robert William Towgood pleaded guilty to drink-driving with a blood alcohol level of 115mg, and to careless driving.
Towgood had been drinking the night before and arranged to stay overnight so as not to drive but, after driving the next day, he was breath-tested at 11am and was still over the 80mcg limit.
Judge Barbara Morris said she took into account the "misjudgment", but that Towgood's alcohol reading the night before must have been "very high".
A car had "responsibly stopped" at an intersection, when Towgood "barrelled into it" causing significant damage, the judge said.
