Mother caught driving 3.5 times over alcohol limit after school drop-off near Whanganui

Police said the woman driver they stopped in Whangaehu Village was 3.5 times the legal breath alcohol limit. Photo / NZME

A woman has been caught driving more than three times over the breath alcohol limit after dropping her children at school.

A 26-year-old woman was arrested on Monday after Whanganui Criminal Investigation Branch detectives Karin Wakefield and Piet De Vegt were notified of a swerving driver on State Highway 3 near Whangaehu.

The detectives pulled over the car in Whangaehu Village about 10am but could not complete a breath test until another officer arrived with the necessary equipment.

The woman was 3.5 times the legal limit when a breath test was performed.

Sergeant Colin Wright said the woman was oblivious to her offending and told police she had dropped her children at school that morning.

“It was also quite clear this driver needed help and a referral has been made for support with alcohol and drug issues,” Wright said.

This incident demonstrated the risk drivers took if they got behind the wheel when they were impaired, he said.

“We catch people driving impaired at any time of the day. Their families are put at risk and, as fellow road users, our families are put at risk.

“Our staff see devastating consequences of drunk drivers far too frequently – these detectives had to change their plans for the day, but it’s highly likely they prevented a serious incident.”

Wright said the case was a reminder to drivers “they can expect to be observed, stopped, and breath tested anywhere, at any time”.

The woman was due to appear in Whanganui District Court on Tuesday.