|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
Police say they’re deeply concerned after an Auckland taxi driver was found driving allegedly six times the legal breath alcohol limit. The driver was working at the time.
Police Auckland Motorways staff responded to a driving complaint on the South-Western Motorway (SH20) after 2pm on June18.
“The taxi van was heading northbound, and another motorist called us reporting the driver had been potentially falling asleep at the wheel,” says senior sergeant Bill Russell, of Auckland Motorways Police.
“While speaking with the call taker, the caller advised the taxi van had several near misses with other motorists on the road.”
As the taxi van neared the Waterview Tunnel, its speed continued to fluctuate between slower and higher speeds, says Russell.
Police motorways units located the van on SH20 near Mt Albert.
The 40-year-old male driver was taken into custody for breaching alcohol procedures, Russell says.
He allegedly returned a result more than six times the legal limit of 250mcg.
“It’s deeply concerning to us that a professional driver has been transporting passengers while allegedly under the influence of alcohol.
“I shudder to think what might have happened had this man not been stopped.”
Russell is praising the actions of the initial caller.
“The person that reported this to us should be commended for seeing something and doing something about it, calling police.
“I understand the caller also got behind the van and put hazard lights on to try and warn other motorists, and we acknowledge their assistance.”
Russell says at this stage, the driver has been summonsed to court on a charge of being a transport service driver with breath alcohol over 400mcgs per litre.
Police enquiries are ongoing and further action cannot be ruled out, they say.
