'Grossly intoxicated' Waikato driver took 19 attempts to complete a breath test

It took a Waikato driver 19 attempts to complete a breath test. Photo / Duncan Brown

It took a "belligerent" and "grossly intoxicated" Waikato driver, who was four times over the legal limit, 19 attempts to complete a breath test.

The man was only one of more than 36 drivers Waikato Police said they tested across the region over the weekend, one they said kept them busy with both drink drivers and speedsters.

Several more drivers were also awaiting the results of blood alcohol tests, District Road Policing Manager, Inspector Freda Grace said.

On Saturday morning police were called to the scene of a crash on Pencarrow Rd in Tamahere shortly before 8am, Mrs Grace said.

"Here, a grossly intoxicated and belligerent man took up considerable police time, requiring 19 attempts to complete a breath screening test for which he returned a result of 1113 micrograms."

The legal limit for drivers is 250 micrograms of alcohol per litre of breath.

Police were also called to the scene of another alcohol related crash on Whatawhata Rd that night, Mrs Grace said.

When officers arrived they discovered an intoxicated 63-year-old man, who was lying in a drain under some trees near a car overturned in a bank, she said.

"Refusing a blood or breath test, the man has resisted police and spat at them prior to his arrest."

Speeding motorists were also causing headaches for officers, Ms Grace said.

Several motorists travelling along Waikato roads had their licenses suspended after they were caught clocking speeds of 140km/h or above.

Waikato police thanked members of the public for reporting drunk and speeding drivers.

"A report from the public of a car weaving across the road on Saturday afternoon resulted in a driver being stopped on State Highway 1 at Ohinewai," Mrs Grace said.

"When breath tested it was established the driver hadn't been drinking but was very fatigued. The enforced rest break that resulted probably saved this driver's life."

Another driving complaint on Sunday morning probably prevented a tragedy, she said.

An 89-year-old man was stopped after he was snapped travelling southbound along northbound lanes of State Highway 1 Whangamarino. There were too many drivers behind the wheel travelling at high speeds and under the influence of alcohol, Mrs Grace said.

"On the positive side, interventions by the public who are taking the message that road safety is everyone's responsibility seriously, probably prevented the loss of at least three lives and a number of serious injuries."