Drunk driver's 360km joyride

Onlookers watched in horror as a drunk driver drove uncontrollably for 360km from the Bay of Plenty to Hawke's Bay before being pulled over with more than twice the legal breath alcohol limit.

Police said they were amazed no lives were lost.

The man, travelling from Waihi to Eskdale in Napier on Sunday, returned a reading of 856 micrograms per litre of breath -- more than twice the legal breath alcohol limit of 400mcg, Senior Sergeant Andy Sloan told the Dominion Post.

The man was pulled over around 3.10pm. Witnesses said he was barely able to stand as he was being breathalysed.

The man, driving a Honda Accord, cut across cars, drove on the wrong side of the road around blind corners and tailgated, drivers on the Napier-Taupo highway reported.

Holidaymakers reported fearing for their lives and several reported the man to police.

Hawke's Bay highway patrol constable Neil Hammond, who stopped the man, said it was one of the worst cases of an intoxicated person behind the wheel he had seen.

"It's beyond belief really that he has travelled that far with that level of intoxication and that manner of driving."

A 38-year-old Waihi man has been charged with dangerous and reckless driving and excess breath alcohol. His licence has been suspended.

- NZPA