Teen driving six times over drink limit

Photo / APN

A Southland teen has been arrested after driving with a breath alcohol level more than six times the legal limit and with four passengers on board, police say.

The 19-year-old man who appeared to be deliberately swerving into the path of oncoming traffic near Invercargill on Sunday was caught after someone called concerned about his driving, Southland Highway Patrol supervisor Sergeant Geoff Sutherland told The Southland Times.

"The witness was amazed there wasn't a crash.

"Police are always extremely thankful for people taking the time to call us - her actions removed a dangerous driver from the road."

The man was found 30 minutes later at Oreti Beach, 13km west of Invercargill, with four passengers in the car.

He said he "was in a frame of mind where he didn't care what he did", Mr Sutherland said.

The man's breath alcohol level was at 1051mcg, more than six times the under-20 limit of 150mcg.

He will appear in the Invercargill District Court on May 17 charged with drink-driving and dangerous driving.

- NZPA