Driver nearly six times over legal limit

A Northland driver was so drunk his blood alcohol level exceeded the breathalyser's maximum range when he was stopped by police.

A blood test later revealed the man was nearly six times over the legal limit - ranking him among the 10 highest recorded drink-drivers in New Zealand.

Senior Sergeant Steve Dickson said the man, in his 50s, was spotted swerving across the centre line and driving 40km in a 100km zone just north of Whangarei earlier this year.

He was taken to Whangarei police station where he was only able to remain standing by using the walls for support.

Dickson said the breathalyser was unable to take a reading as it could only register blood alcohol levels of up to 2000 micrograms (mcg).

"It's extremely dangerous to have had this amount of alcohol and then be driving," he said.

Blood tests revealed the man had an equivalent of 2290mcg, with the legal limit for drivers over 20 being 400mcg per litre of breath, or 80 milligrams per 100ml of blood.

Scientists from ESR confirmed it was one of the 10 highest recordings they had seen.

Consultant Ross Gainsford said a blood-alcohol level of 356mg could be fatal.

A Dunedin woman recorded the highest ever drink-drive reading in 2004, when she tested at 585mg per 100ml of blood.

The man, from Ngunguru, will appear in court on April 13.

- NORTHERN ADVOCATE