Tourist caught driving at 99 km/h through Hokitika

File photo / NZ Herald

Hokitika police flagged down a tourist speeding through the town at 99kph on cruise control, on Sunday night.

It was one of several shocking driving incidents which have prompted a fresh crackdown on bad driving, especially targeting vehicles crossing the centre line.

West Coast police response manager senior sergeant Phil Barker said today police would target drivers this week who cross the centreline and otherwise ignore New Zealand road rules and conditions.

Mr Barker cited two examples from the past few days as proof something had to be done.

As well as sailing through the middle of Hokitika on cruise control, the overseas driver was also clearly "struggling" to keep his rental car in the correct lane.

Police contacted the car rental company which immediately cancelled the man's contract and police took the car keys off the tourist.

"The Indian tourist was liberated of his rental vehicle... and he caught the bus for the rest of his trip," Mr Barker said.

Yesterday, a more shocking example of bad driving near Punakaiki luckily resulted in no one being killed or injured, when two French nationals in an uninsured private van collided with a truck on State highway 6.

The van was being driven blindly on the wrong side around a sharp bend when it collided with the truck, Mr Barker said.

"The tourists continued their journey in a tow truck."