Completely unacceptable is how a senior Waikato Police officer describes the situation of a driver awaiting the results of a blood tests after being found behind the wheel of a car while allegedly under the influence of drugs, just hours after an alcohol related crash.
District Road Policing Manager, Inspector Freda Grace, said the latest incident happened on Hamilton's Boundary Rd, shortly before 8am.
"One of our officers noticed a driver fail to give way and went to stop the vehicle.
"On stopping the car and speaking to the 53-year-old male driver our officer noticed a strong smell of cannabis and located a small quantity of the drug in the car. When the driver failed a roadside impairment test he was taken for a blood test and pending the results of this, faces potential drugged driving charges."
Mrs Grace said Police were already frustrated over driver behaviour on Hamilton roads following an early morning crash in Beerescourt where two men were seriously injured in an alcohol related crash.
"Already we've seen the results of poor decision making with the crash. An indicator on how drugs can impair your ability to drive was shown in this latest incident when the driver came to Police attention by failing to give way.
"With deteriorating winter driving conditions its imperative all road users are fit for the road, that they have their wits about them and no matter if they are driving, riding or walking they are doing all they can to ensure they use our roads socially."
Mrs Grace said driving impaired by the influence of drugs and alcohol fell far short of acceptable standards of behaviour on Waikato roads.
End