Dunedin police are warning unruly drivers to obey the law, after an off-duty police officer stopped a woman who was driving while five times over the legal limit.
Sergeant Matt Lee, of Dunedin, said an off-duty officer stopped the woman in Bruce St, Roslyn, because of the way she was driving about 4pm on Thursday.
She was seen swerving, crossing the centre line and stopping in the middle of the road, Sgt Lee said.
Police arrived and breath-tested the woman, who recorded a breath alcohol level of 1426mcg.
The legal limit for adults is 250mcg.
The woman had her licence suspended for 28 days and is due to appear in court on April 28 charged with drink-driving, Sgt Lee said.
A witness said the off-duty officer took the woman’s car keys to stop her leaving and they waited calmly until uniformed officers arrived.
Relieving Otago coastal area commander Inspector Craig Brown said the incident came after an 18-year-old man was charged with dangerous driving and failing to stop after evading police when signalled to stop in Brockville Rd about 11pm on Thursday, April 6.
Police pursued the man for a short distance before abandoning the pursuit because it was unsafe, Insp Brown said.
The man was arrested by police a week later and is to appear in the Dunedin District Court on Tuesday.
"We are committed to keeping our community safe and we will not tolerate dangerous behaviour on our roads," Insp Brown said.
Every day, police saw unnecessary harm on roads as a result of excessive speed and people choosing to drive intoxicated.
Officers took fleeing driver events very seriously and would follow-up to hold offenders to account.
Drivers could expect "anytime, anywhere", enforcement from police, Insp Brown said.
"This is a reminder that we all have a responsibility to ensure we drive safely at all times ... getting behind the wheel after drinking, speeding or reckless driving are unnecessary risks not worth taking."
