1 Jul 2022

Man caught driving five times over breath alcohol limit, police say

3:55 pm on 1 July 2022

A man has been caught driving while over five times the legal breath alcohol limit in Winton, Southland, police say.

A police checkpoint at Mana, Wellington.

File image. Photo: RNZ / Alexander Robertson

A member of the public reported concerns about the man's driving this morning, including near misses with oncoming traffic.

Police said when stopped and breath tested, the 31-year-old was found to have a reading of 1101 micrograms of alcohol per litre of breath.

"Police would like this to serve as a reminder to the public that all drivers should expect to be stopped by us at any time," a statement said.

"We know that alcohol impairment is one of the four biggest contributors to death and serious injury on our roads, it's just not worth the risk."

The man will appear in the Invercargill District Court.