'Scary' drunk driver shocks others

File photo / NZ Herald

A man's drunken drive through a notorious Bay of Plenty black spot was so shocking, police say it's incredible no one was killed.

Police fielded multiple complaints about a Tauranga-bound vehicle crossing double yellow lines, driving into oncoming traffic and dangerously over-taking other motorists on the Kaimai Range on Saturday afternoon.

About 4.15pm, one motorist was so concerned he stopped to report the driving behaviour to Senior Constable Bruce Gordon who was talking with another driver on State Highway 29.

Several other motorists also called police from their vehicles.

Mr Gordon went after the car and found it being driven erratically and crossing the centre-line near Tauriko.

After he signalled the driver to pull over, he asked him to undergo a breath test.

Mr Gordon said the first blow recorded a reading of 950 micrograms per litre of breath, more than twice the legal limit.

"The other blow was over the 1000 mark," he said.

The legal limit in New Zealand is 400mcg of alcohol for adults over 20 years.

"The way he was driving, honestly, I think we saved his life or a member of the public's life. That's how bad it was," Mr Gordon said.

"It was just amazing. I had two vehicles stop me after I pulled him up to say how bad he was. While I was stopped, there were two other cars that drove by that called [police] to let them know how dangerous he was driving. That was four people apart from the guy who first approached me."

A Mount Maunganui woman who was overtaken by the car said the situation was "quite scary". The woman, who would only be known as Helen, said the car was "all over the road".

"It's a wonder that he didn't crash."

Helen said she was travelling about 100km/h when the man passed her at a much higher speed.

"He was really erratic. He was in both lanes. I just tooted like crazy and he pulled back in," she said.

Helen said she saw the man cross double yellow lines and repeatedly drive into oncoming traffic. Waikato-bound trucks and cars were forced to slow down as a result, she said.

Helen said she drove over the Kaimai Range regularly and often witnessed poor driving.

"You get sick of people doing stupid things and that would be the worst thing I've seen," she said.

"It was quite scary.

"My biggest regret is not pulling over and calling the police."

Helen said she was relieved when she reached Tauriko and saw Mr Gordon had pulled over the driver.

The incident comes as Western Bay police hone in on the Kaimai Range as a dangerous highway where many of the region's serious crashes occur, particularly at this time of the year.

"We have seen horrendous crashes up the Kaimais and when you see driving like that with alcohol, you have to wonder," Mr Gordon said.

A 22-year-old Morrinsville man is expected to appear in the Tauranga District Court today facing a charge of breaching bail conditions.

Further driving-related charges are likely.