Two overtaking manoeuvres by Hamilton mayor Russ Rimmington on State Highway 1 left drivers swerving for their lives and shaken, the Hamilton District Court was told yesterday.
Rimmington denied a charge of driving dangerously on January 3 last year when he allegedly tried to overtake several vehicles in Taupiriin his council-owned Ford Falcon, registration HCC 1.
Police prosecutor Sergeant Kevin Read said Rimmington tried dangerous overtaking manoeuvres on two occasions while driving through the town around 2.30 pm on his way to Hamilton from Auckland.
He said one car had to brake and swerve off the road to avoid a crash with Rimmington's car when the mayor was forced back into the southbound lane by oncoming traffic as he tried to overtake another vehicle on a bend.
Sergeant Read said Rimmington then forced oncoming and following traffic to swerve to the left to avoid a collision after he crossed the centreline and tried to overtake two cars in a row.
Rimmington was alleged to have been tailgating just before his overtaking attempts, and speeding in a 70 km/h zone during the manoeuvres.
Four people reported Rimmington to the police after the two incidents and he was stopped by police for questioning in Hamilton.
The mayor, his wife, Edwina, and a child were in the car.
Four witnesses were called by the prosecution yesterday.
One said she was severely shaken by the incidents.
One defence witness, a traffic engineer, is to be called today.
Rimmington told the court that he overtook one car in Taupiri because it was going too slow.
He said the manoeuvre was done safely, with clear visibility ahead, and he denied it had endangered anyone.
When questioned by Sergeant Read on the statements given by the prosecution witnesses he said simply: "I have another view."
