Drunk driver 'recipe for disaster'

Photo / File

Police are astounded a Bay of Plenty man, caught more than three and a half times the legal limit, was able to co-ordinate himself to drive.

The 40-year-old planner returned a breath test reading of 1440 micrograms of alcohol per litre of breath at 9.30am in Mt Maunganui this morning after concerned members of the public called police about his erratic driving. The legal adult alcohol limit is 400mcg.

Senior Sergeant Glenn Saunders said it was "an absolute recipe for disaster" that the man got behind the wheel so far over the legal limit.

"It was raining and this man drove along one of the busiest roads in the area, past the Harbourside Netball Courts and nearby Blake Park where literally hundreds of children and their supporters gather for weekend junior sport," he said.

"It astounds me how the man managed to coordinate himself to drive while so drunk."

The man was released to appear in the Tauranga District Court next week.

- NZPA