A truck driver who scraped the wall of Auckland’s Waterview Tunnel multiple times while transporting a car during peak hour was allegedly more than seven times the legal alcohol limit, police said.
Police said it received a report of a truck struggling to stay in its lane on the Southwestern Motorway (SH20) around 3.15pm on Thursday.
Senior Sergeant Scott Cunningham said the truck was headed northbound through the Waterview Tunnel while transporting a car.
“The driving was so poor that the truck scraped the wall on more than one occasion.
“Police soon caught up with the driver as he travelled onto the north-western motorway, on State Highway 16.
“Our staff were extremely concerned by his behaviour as, when he was signalled to stop, he brought the truck to a stop in live lanes during peak traffic.”
Eventually, the truck was moved to the side of the motorway.
The driver was taken to Henderson Police Station where a breath alcohol screening returned a result of 1872mcg. The legal limit is 250mcg.
The man’s actions could have resulted in serious injuries to himself or the wider public, Cunningham said.
“It’s extremely concerning that people are continuing to make poor and reckless decisions such as this.
“Driving a heavy vehicle, or any vehicle for that matter, while under the influence of alcohol is a dangerous mix.”
A 38-year-old man has been summonsed on a charge of driving with excess breath alcohol.
He was expected to appear in Waitākere District Court on July 31.
