A motorist allegedly towing a boat "dangerously" on State Highway 1 in Northland at the weekend was more than five times over the legal limit, police say.
When the motorist was pulled over by officers near Waipu on Sunday, after a member of the public reported the alleged dangerous driving, they undertook a breath test.
"They blew more than five times the legal limit, with an excess alcohol reading of 1280mcg," Northland Road Policing Manager Insp Anne-Marie Fitchett said. "This sort of driving behaviour is incredibly reckless and unacceptable."
It was a "miracle this didn't end in tragedy", she said.
"In the past 12 months, police in Northland have issued more than 14,500 speeding infringements," Fitchett added.
"We all want to go home to our families at the end of the day and, as a community, we can make a big impact on whether that happens or not.
"Not many people equate driving sober and staying within speed limits to potentially saving lives, but that's what it comes down to."
In total, 55 Northland motorists have been caught over the legal alcohol limit in the past week.
Newshub.
