A Nelson driver who was "all over the road" and had three near misses with other motorists recorded a "shockingly high" reading of nearly five times the legal alcohol limit last night, police say.
A member of the public rang police at around 6.45pm on Thursday to report the swerving car on Tahunanui Dr, following the vehicle to a convenience store and relaying instructions to police.
Sergeant Mike Thom said three police patrol cars were out looking for the vehicle by the time the driver left.
The details from the caller helped police locate the car, with officers stopping it on Bishopdale Ave.
"After we stopped the driver, another motorist pulled up to tell us, 'that guy shouldn’t be driving'."
A breath screening test on the driver returned a result nearly five times the legal limit.
Thom said it was a "shockingly high" reading that put the driver, other road users and those around him at serious risk at harm.
"He denied drinking, but the results disagreed with him," he said.
"The member of the public who reported the driving potentially saved lives. If you see concerning driving, report it to us so we can take action – it could make all the difference."
A 25-year-old man was arrested and charged with driving with excess breath alcohol and suspended from driving for 28 days.
He was expected to appear in the Nelson District Court on April 30.
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