An Auckland taxi driver has been charged after allegedly driving while heavily intoxicated during a shift, prompting concerns for the safety of passengers and other road users.
According to a report by 1News, police were alerted on Thursday afternoon after receiving reports about a taxi van travelling northbound on State Highway 20. The caller raised concerns that the driver appeared to be struggling to stay awake behind the wheel.
“While speaking with the call taker, the caller advised the taxi van had several near misses with other motorists on the road,” Senior Sergeant Bill Russell said, 1News has quoted.
According to police, the motorist in question followed the vehicle and activated their hazard lights to warn other drivers. As the van approached the Waterview Tunnel, its speed reportedly varied significantly.
Officers later located and stopped the vehicle near Mt Albert on the motorway.
The 40-year-old driver was taken into custody and underwent a breath alcohol test, returning a reading police say was more than six times the legal limit, as reported by 1News.
He has been summoned to appear in court and is charged with being a transport service driver with breath alcohol over 400 micrograms per litre.
"Police enquiries are ongoing and further action cannot be ruled out," as quoted by 1News.
Russell described the incident as particularly concerning, given the driver's role in transporting members of the public.
“It is deeply alarming that a professional driver may have been transporting people while under the influence of alcohol.
“I shudder to think what might have happened had this man not been stopped,” as quoted by 1News.
He also praised the member of the public who alerted authorities.
“I commend the motorist who reported the taxi van for seeing something and doing something about it,” 1News has quoted.
Police investigations remain ongoing.