A clear and present danger is how a senior Waikato Police officer describes the antics of a woman who blew nearly four times over the legal alcohol limit on Hamilton streets yesterday.

District Road Policing Manager, Inspector Freda Grace, credited the actions of a member of the public who was concerned enough about the female driver's behaviour that they did something, ring 111 and follow the offender.

"The incident began about 4.37pm when Police received a call from a driver regarding a vehicle in front of them that struck a road sign on Bankwood Rd and kept driving.

"The motorist described the offending Honda Accord as turning on to Clarkin Rd and south on to Heaphy Tce and we were trying to get a unit to the area to check on the driver."

The member of the public described to the 111 call taker how bits were seen to be falling off the Honda before it slewed to a stop on a red light at O'Neil St.

"The Honda has stopped forward of the lines, in the path of westbound traffic. Unfortunately by doing this the offender's car has clipped the rear of a passing vehicle causing damage to that car.

"A patrol car arrived shortly after that and the 51-year-old female driving the Honda underwent an evidential breath test and returned a reading of 1496mcgs, nearly four times the legal alcohol limit."

Mrs Grace says yesterday's reading was the highest she had encountered since taking up the role of Road Policing Manager regardless of gender.

"At that level of intoxication dangerous just doesn't do justice in describing the risk this woman posed to herself and other motorists.

"To consider driving in this condition is not ok, as it is the driver collided firstly with a road sign and later with an innocent person's car. Full credit to the member of the public who brought this woman's manner of driving to our attention. That was the only bright part of a very disappointing set of circumstances."

Mrs Grace says the fact the woman was apprehended in the afternoon spoke volumes about the risks posed by drunk drivers.

"It's not about people drinking and driving on Friday and Saturday nights, people can pose a risk at any hour of the day and our message to intoxicated drivers is simple- driver beware, you can expect to encounter Police anywhere at anytime."

Source: New Zealand Police.