Drink-drivers testing West Coast police

Drink-drivers tested police patience throughout the West Coast at the weekend. Photo / Duncan Brown

Drink-drivers tested police patience throughout the West Coast at the weekend.

A Greymouth man involved in a vehicle collision late on Friday had been drinking and subsequently blew 373mg.

West Coast police prevention manager, senior sergeant Allyson Ealam, said the crash, at the intersection of Albert and Lord streets, was the result of one car failing to give way.

A 42-year-old Granity man stopped by police while he was driving on The Esplanade in Westport at 1.40am on Saturday blew 599mg.

At Franz Josef Glacier, a driver seen hopping into his car after leaving a bar at 12.30am on Saturday subsequently blew 705mg when police caught up with him.

Police were called after the man was allegedly seen leaving the local bar "apparently quite intoxicated" and he was stopped outside the Franz Josef Glacier School, Mrs Ealam said.

The driver elected to undergo a blood-alcohol test.

Meanwhile, at the same time early yesterday morning Westport police caught a 19-year-old local man massively over the adult limit of 400mg, let alone the zero tolerance drivers under-20.

The young driver, who was also driving without the correct licence, blew 872mg when stopped at 12.30am.

That driver also opted for a blood-alcohol test, and in the meantime was forbidden to drive until he obtained an appropriate licence.

A Kumara man who missed his driveway yesterday and ended up parking his car in a ditch, will appear in court for drink-driving.

The 39-year-old was found "staggering around" nearby with the driver's door of his car left open and the keys still in the ignition. He blew 633mg and his licence was immediately suspended for 28 days.

- Greymouth Star