Near-record breath-test

One of New Zealand's highest breath alcohol readings was recorded yesterday, when a man crashed his car while more than four times over the alcohol limit.

The 40-year-old Gisborne man blew a reading of 1745mcg - the equivalent for more than 30 glasses of wine. The adult limit is 400mcg.

"The troops were astounded," said Gisborne police sergeant David Walker. "That's probably the highest [reading] that a lot of the guys have seen."

The man was arrested after police were called to an address near Waikanae Beach about 12.45pm.

They were alerted after a car smashed into wooden railings, damaging the steering, and clipped three parked cars further down the road.

Walker said the man was "walking around and talking fine" when he got out and police only realised how drunk he was when he had to give a breath test. Walker said it was unlikely the man had consumed that much alcohol in one morning. "I'd say it's probably one of those [drinking sessions] that's carried on."

Police said the man admitted he was an alcoholic, which could explain how he could function with such a high level of alcohol in him.

Alcohol Healthwatch director Rebecca Williams said someone driving with such a high level of alcohol in their blood was "a nightmare waiting to happen. Being four times over the limit they're basically off the planet. That's a pretty sad way to spend the holiday season."

She said people who drive drunk are selfish because they often kill innocent people.

And although young people got much of the blame for drink-driving, the worst offenders were middle-aged men, said Williams.

Alcohol Advisory Council chief executive Gerard Vaughn said a reading as high as that was "a bit of a worry. Someone at that limit obviously has problem."

Vaughn said summer gave the opportunity to drink more, so many people did.

- HERALD ON SUNDAY