Aggressive overtaking driver almost causes SH8 head-on crash - then makes obscene gesture

Police are condemning a dangerous overtaking manoeuvre where an impatient driver almost causes a head-on collision before pulling the finger at a concerned bus driver who honked to warn him.

The near-miss happened on a state highway between Twizel and Omarama on January 6, around 5.45pm.

Footage captured by the bus shows traffic driving slowly behind a large motorhome. The driver of a small blue car moves out to overtake, but appears to spot an oncoming car and moves back into line.

But a 4x4 further back in the line takes no such precautions and begins to overtake. A gasp can be heard as the 4x4 veers back onto the left side of the road, avoiding a head-on crash by a split second.

Bus driver Ted Park told the Herald the Isuzu Bighorn “aggressively overtook multiple vehicles from behind”, including Park’s 7.5m bus, which had a trailer attached. The road was straight, but the driver was impatient and had not left a safe distance, Park told the Herald.

“The Isuzu entered the oncoming lane and forced an approaching car to brake suddenly and move aside to avoid a head-on collision. The incident was extremely close and could easily have resulted in a fatal accident,” he said.

“I sounded my horn to warn the driver, who then responded with an offensive gesture.”

Park and his passenger were braced for a crash as his bus couldn’t stop quickly. He was “very disappointed” to be flipped the bird - but “he was driving like **** so we can’t expect [a] good personality”.

He shared the video to highlight the dangers of reckless overtaking on NZ roads.

“This type of driving puts innocent people at serious risk.”

The incident was reported to police on the 105 website yesterday.

A police spokesperson said the dangerous overtaking seen in this video was a serious concern.

“This kind of unsafe driving puts both other motorists and the occupants of the overtaking car themselves at risk of serious injury or worse.”

To overtake safely, drivers needed to ensure it was legal and safe to pass.

Drivers were advised to use passing lanes when they were available or otherwise ensure there was ample clear road ahead before attempting to overtake.

“If you are witnessing dangerous driving behaviour please pull over and call police on 111. You can also report non emergencies or matters after the fact by calling Police on 105.”

Twelve days, 11 deaths on NZ roads

Eleven people have died due to crashes on New Zealand roads since the year began, provisional Ministry of Transport data shows.

The first died just 40 minutes into the new year at a Tirohia intersection.

A person was also found dead that morning on the Kaipara Coast Highway after a suspected hit-and-run.

Four deadly crashes happened in just 24 hours from January 4 to January 5, with deaths in Papatoetoe, Rolleston, Waikato and Wānaka.

A woman died on January 5 after a crash south of Turakina three days earlier.

And four more people died in the following three days, in crashes in Dairy Flat, the Tararua district, and Hawke’s Bay.