A “dangerous overtaking incident” on the road to Whakapapa ski field last weekend has resulted in a driver being summonsed to appear in court for dangerous driving.
Dashcam footage of the incident showed two vehicles overtaking a shuttle bus on Bruce Rd at around 9.20am on August 16.
The second vehicle – a Volkswagen Golf – was seen narrowly avoiding a head-on collision with an oncoming Mercedes, cutting back in front of the bus at the last second.
In an update today, Commercial Vehicle and Safety Team Inspector Mike Brooklands said officers identified and located a driver as a result of information provided by the driver of the oncoming vehicle.
“The driver of the offending vehicle, a 40-year-old Auckland man, has been summonsed to appear in Taumaranui District Court on October 16. The vehicle has also been impounded for 28 days,” he said.
Brooklands thanked the driver of the oncoming vehicle for the information.
“This kind of unsafe driving puts both other motorists and the occupants of the overtaking car themselves at risk of serious injury or worse.
“In order to overtake safely, drivers need to ensure it is legal and safe to pass.”
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He reiterated that drivers should use passing lanes when they are available, or otherwise ensure there was ample clear road ahead before attempting to overtake.
Ruapehu Scenic Shuttles owner operator Colin Baker told 1News on Sunday of his shock at what unfolded in front of him.
“The video doesn’t really do it justice of how close it was, centimetres would be the best way to describe it. If the V-dub had come in a little bit tighter, I could have easily hit the side of it and pushed it into the path of the other vehicle,” he said.
“The Prius, I could see the white car in the distance, and I thought, well, that’s going to be close. But when that Golf came through, there was no way in hell they were going to make that. This guy just absolutely committed himself to a kamikaze move with the Mercedes that was coming down.”
