Porirua Police are seeking witnesses to what they describe as a "lunatic piece of driving" during yesterday morning's commuter rush near the Paremata roundabout on State Highway 1 and suburban Papakowhai.
Inspector John Spence, Kapiti Mana Area Commander, says members of the public first alerted police at 7.10am yesterday morning that the car was being driven at excessive speeds and had almost lost control on the roundabout.
He said a police motorcyclist responded and followed the car up Whitford Brown Avenue, Papakowhai, but the car turned around and drove towards the officer, narrowly avoiding a collision.
The car was then driven north along Papakowhai Road at speeds of up to 160kph although the officer abandoned the pursuit because it was too dangerous.
Police understand the car continued at high speed behind the Mobil Service Station at Paremata then back onto SH1 and north along the Mana Esplanade. It was found parked and locked a short time later in Mana View Road and a man is now facing several driving charges.
"It was a lunatic piece of driving," Inspector Spence says. "Driving at high speeds on urban roads endangers the safety of other road users. It was even more senseless because it happened as peak commuter traffic was building."
People who saw the incident are asked to contact Constable Cam Taylor, Porirua Police, tel 238 1432.
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Media contact: Inspector John Spence, Kapiti Mana Police, tel 238 1432.