Senior Sergeant Anthony Bond, of Dunedin, said officers on patrol spotted a vehicle in Isadore Rd, St Clair, at 12.44am today with no headlights on and swerving over both lanes.
When stopped, the 45-year-old woman told police she was just travelling a couple of blocks. She explained she was too drunk to walk, so decided it would be easier to drive.
She was accompanied to a police station where she was tested and recorded a breath-alcohol limit of 894mcg, more than twice the legal limit.
The woman was arrested, bailed and was to appear in the Dunedin District Court on Thursday.
On Sunday at 1.30am, a vehicle was seen speeding through a 30kmh zone in Hanover St in the central city.
A bystander attempted to flag it down by stepping in front of it.
The vehicle then sped up, drove around the person before going through a red light, police say.
A community patrol then saw the vehicle driving dangerously and followed it as it looped back into Filleul St before running a red light again.
The vehicle then sped through roadworks and drove the wrong way up a one-way street.
The bystander and community patrol then called police.
Soon after, officers stopped the vehicle in Moray Pl, Snr Sgt Bond said.
A 19-year-old man has been charged with dangerous driving and would appear in the district court.
Near-collision with police
At 12.05am on Sunday, police say a vehicle in Dundas St, Dunedin North, pulled a U-turn and accelerated towards a patrol car while on the wrong side of the road, almost causing a head-on collision.
Police activated their lights and followed the vehicle but it failed to stop, continuing to drive at 80kmh in a 50kmh zone, Snr Sgt Bond said.
However, officers did not pursue, due to the manner of driving, and later located the vehicle at a Leith St property.
The driver, a 19-year-old man, was found inside and admitted to drinking alcohol and driving. He was tested and recorded a breath alcohol level of 718mcg.
The man was arrested and charged with excess breath alcohol, aggravated failure to stop, disqualified driving and dangerous driving.
He would appear in court at a later date, Snr Sgt Bond said.
Meanwhile, at the same time in Corstorphine officers stopped a Mazda Demio in Middleton Rd.
Minutes earlier, the 16-year-old driver had taken her mother’s vehicle out for a late-night joyride, police said.
The vehicle was secured, the girl taken home and her parents were spoken to.
Youth Aid would follow up the incident.
Driver admits asleep at wheel
At 12.55pm on Sunday, police were called a crash on State Highway 1 near Allanton.
A 31-year-old woman with a 15-year-old passenger admitted to police that she fell asleep while driving, causing her vehicle to veer left.
The woman attempted to correct her car but lost control and it crashed down a bank.
The investigation was ongoing, Snr Sgt Bond said.
Info sought on motorcyclist, driver crashes into pole
Police are appealing for information after a motorcyclist failed to stop in Caversham.
At 11.16pm on Saturday, officers tried to halt the motorcycle in Fitzroy St, before the rider went the wrong way down Rutherford St.
Police pulled over and did not pursue.
The rider was wearing sports shoes, grey pants, black top and a black helmet. The motorcycle plate was damaged and hard to read.
Snr Sgt Bond said the bike was a ‘‘road bike’’ or street motorcycle.
Police were seeking any information regarding the identification of the motorbike, or rider. Contact police on 105, file number P056451201.
Meanwhile, a 35-year-old man drove his ute at high speed around a bend in Ashmore St before smashing into a power pole at 9.30pm on Saturday, police said.
The force of the collision pulled the pole from the ground and badly damaged the vehicle.
When officers arrived, the man admitted to drinking and underwent breath-testing procedures, Snr Sgt Bond said.
He recorded a breath alcohol level of 785mcg and police impounded his vehicle.
The man was arrested and charged with dangerous driving, driving while intoxicated and possession of cannabis and utensils.
