New Zealand cops left red-faced after officer tested passenger’s breath, not driver’s, at checkpoint
A police officer was left red-faced after giving a breathalyzer test to the passenger, not the driver, at a drink-driving checkpoint.
TJ Woodrow and friends were driving through Cromwell on New Zealand’s South Island in his 1964 Impala after heading to the Alexandra Blossom Festival.
But the Impala is American-made and therefore a left-hand drive car, which caused confusion when he was randomly stopped for breathalyzer tests three times over the weekend.
Each time he was arrested, the police officer would walk to the right-hand window, with Mr. Woodrow filming the confusing encounters and posting them on TikTok.
The first two times, the officer realized his mistake and went to the left window to test Mr. Woodrow, but the third time they were stopped, his passenger was tested instead.
Policewoman left red-faced after giving breathalyzer test to passenger, not driver, at drink-driving checkpoint (photo)
The officer asked the passenger, who claimed to have an open can of Jim Beam whiskey and cola in his lap, how he was doing, then presented him with the testing device and asked him to blow into it for five seconds.
He did so and was cleared, which the officer confirmed by saying “Sweet as” and apparently not noticing the lack of a steering wheel in front of the man.
As soon as he left, the driver and passengers in the front and back of the Impala all burst out laughing.
As the video racked up a large number of views and comments online, police released a statement, acknowledging that a mistake had been made, but also reprimanding those in the car.
“While we cannot be sure where this incident took place, police acknowledge that it appears an error was made by one of our officers who was handling a vehicle at a checkpoint ” said a police spokesperson.
“In this case, it would be helpful if the driver, when he realizes that an error has been made, informs the officer so that he can administer a breathalyzer test.”
“Checkpoints are in place to ensure the safety of all road users, and much of the responsibility for road safety lies with road users themselves.”
Many saw the funny side of what happened, with comments online posting: “Smart cops in your city. »
As soon as the policeman left, the passenger (photo) and everyone else in the car burst out laughing.
“The officer should take a breathalyzer test, how could she have missed that?” said another.
A third opined that Mr Woodrow should “get a spare wheel for (the) passenger so they can get around without hassle”.
Some, however, didn’t see the funny side, with one writing, “So is drunk driving funny?” » Wow, you Kiwis need to be smarter. I hope you didn’t kill anyone.
And others simply slammed the quality of the commenters, with one saying: “The IQ in these comments is the lowest I’ve seen in a very long time.”
