Driver not asleep, just struggling with drunk passenger - police

The driver of a car causing delays at an intersection in West Auckland on Sunday was not asleep, just struggling with his drunk passenger, police have said.

One reader emailed nzherald.co.nz to say she was delayed by 10 to 15 minutes after the two occupants of the car apparently fell asleep while waiting at the lights to turn right into Triangle Rd in Henderson.

But today Sergeant Shaun Palmer said it "sounded and looked worse than it was".

The driver had worked all night and was taking his heavily intoxicated friend home.

Sergeant Palmer said the driver was having trouble with his drunken passenger slumping over him.

Each time they stopped at intersections the driver would "struggle to get his passenger off him".

Two officers attended the scene around 2pm.

The driver's breath test showed no alcohol but he will be receiving tickets for various other licence offences.

He had a learner licence.

Sergeant Palmer said the incident caused no accidents or injuries.

- NZHERALD STAFF