Police frustrated by drugged driving

File photo / NZ Herald

Drug- and drink-driving incidents on the same morning have frustrated police in Hamilton.

A crash in Beerescourt early this morning left two men with serious injuries. Police said speed, alcohol, driving unrestrained and not driving to the conditions all appear to have played a part in the crash.

Emergency services were called to Maeroa Rd about 5.23am.

"A local resident had woken to a loud bang and the sound of a car horn going off continuously," District Road Policing Manager Inspector Freda Grace said.

"Initial indications are that the driver of a Toyota Avensis station-wagon travelling on Maeroa Rd towards Norton Rd failed to negotiate a bend and the car crossed the centreline and fishtailed before hitting a tree.

"The male driver of the car suffered serious to critical injuries while the man travelling as a front seat passenger suffered serious injuries. Two men travelling as rear seat passengers were shaken but unhurt in the crash and the two injured males were taken to Waikato Hospital by ambulance."

Mrs Grace said with icy roads, busier traffic flows with the return of children to school following the holidays and the general risks associated with winter driving, the last thing motorists should be considering is drinking and driving and driving at speed.

Then, just before 8am, a police officer noticed a driver fail to give way on Boundary Rd.

"On stopping the car and speaking to the 53-year-old male driver our officer noticed a strong smell of cannabis and located a small quantity of the drug in the car," Mrs Grace said.

"When the driver failed a roadside impairment test he was taken for a blood test and pending the results of this, faces potential drugged driving charges."

She said it was completely unacceptable behaviour by drivers, and today's incidents showed a selfish disregard for the safety of other road users.