Cabbie snared for drink-driving - breath-alcohol reading way over the limit

It is understood the man was stopped by Counties Manukau police last month and allegedly blew a breath-alcohol reading of 1000 micrograms of alcohol per litre of breath.

An Auckland taxi driver has been caught allegedly four times over the new drink-drive limit while on the job.

The firm he is understood to work for is unable to say whether he is still driving.

It is understood the man was stopped by Counties Manukau police last month and allegedly blew a breath-alcohol reading of 1000 micrograms of alcohol per litre of breath.

Legislative changes that came into force only days ago mean blowing over 250mcg earns drivers a fine and demerit points. A reading of more than 400mcg lands them in court.

It is believed the cab driver was working when he was pulled over. It is not known whether he had passengers.

His firm was asked if it was aware of the case and whether the driver had been stood down. But it was unable to say whether he was still on the road.

The company, which says it puts its drivers through rigorous area-knowledge tests as well as internal driving assessments, did not respond after questions were emailed to bosses.

The New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) said it would not comment on individual cases before they had been dealt with by the court but any cases of drink-driving were a huge concern.

"While most taxi drivers provide safe and reliable service," a spokesman said, "it's very disappointing any time a taxi driver is convicted of a serious offence such as drink-driving, especially in light of the important role taxis play in providing safe alternatives to reduce drink-driving.

"Everyone should have confidence that they can hire a taxi so that they can get to their destination safely."

If the taxi driver is convicted of drink-driving, he will face a mandatory disqualification of at least six months and will have to reapply for a P (passenger) endorsement on his licence - which is required to work in the industry - at the end of the ban.

But there is no guarantee people with convictions are allowed behind the wheel of a taxi.

The NZTA does a "fit and proper person" check on anyone seeking the endorsement, taking into account all prior convictions in New Zealand and overseas as well as failure to pay fines or any history of behavioural problems.

The taxi driver allegedly caught boozed on the job has no court appearance scheduled yet but that is expected to change in coming weeks.