Couple’s double driving fail ‘alarming’

A woman who picked up her husband from a police drink-driving checkpoint north of Wellington has been charged after she was found to have a higher breath alcohol reading than him.

The 54-year-old man was caught with a breath alcohol level above the legal limit at the checkpoint on Mazengarb Rd in Paraparaumu on Thursday night.

The man phoned his wife to collect him. As she drove through the checkpoint to pick him up, police tested her and found she had an even higher reading than her husband.

The 55-year-old woman was suspended from driving for 28 days.

Wellington road policing manager Inspector Jan Craig said it was ‘‘beyond belief’’ that someone would turn up to an alcohol checkpoint to pick up another drink-driver when they had been drinking themselves.

‘‘It’s alarming that there are still drivers who are willing to risk harming others in the community by driving whilst impaired,’’ she said.

‘‘Our staff are working hard to keep everyone safe on our roads, but we can’t do it alone.’’

If someone was drinking, they needed to plan and organise a sober driver or a taxi to get home safely, Craig said.

Police said it was a disappointing evening, with six people charged and due to appear in court at a later date, and excess breath alcohol readings ranging between 390 and 701 micrograms.

Two of five people stopped at the checkpoint were charged for their third and subsequent offence.

A 55-year-old man was arrested for breaching bail conditions, and is due to appear in the Porirua District Court on Tuesday.

One disqualified driver was arrested, and their vehicle was ordered off the road for not having a Warrant of Fitness.