International tourists flying into Christchurch and immediately driving a rental vehicle south to Queenstown, continue to cause crashes on Central Otago roads, according to police.

Senior Constable Graham Perkins said that was the situation in the Lindis Pass last Thursday, when two drivers had a head on crash, after an international driver allegedly overtook a truck and trailer unit on a bad corner.

Failing to successfully overtake, the driver hit another tourist heading north over the Cluden Hill, but luckily had slowed down, and only suffered a broken leg in the crash.

Snr Const Perkins said the man instantly had his passport ceased and would appear in the Alexandra District Court this week on a charge of dangerous driving causing injury.

“Again, it’s a common theme of landing in the country and just wanting to get there,” he said.

A Wānaka driver is being investigated by the commercial vehicle support unit after a piece of timber fell off his trailer, narrowly missing the vehicle behind and the windscreen.

The driver of the vehicle behind took note of his license plate and notified authorities, who are investigating the insecure load.

A six year-old child suffered a broken leg outside Hanley’s Farm in the weekend, after escaping the care of his parents at the cafe near Jacks Point, and crossing the main highway.

Back in Alexandra, a 30-year-old man was processed for drink driving on September 12, recording an excess breath alcohol reading of 526mcg.

Snr Const Perkins said the man was due to appear in court and was forbidden to drive.

In Cromwell the same day, a 32-year-old man was charged with assault and theft after stealing his flatmate’s beer.

The 32-year-old punched the flatmate several times after he was questioned about taking it.

Snr Const Perkins said the flatmate ran off down the road and called police, but had limited injuries from the assault, other than bruising on his face.

In other police news, one of seven people routinely drug tested on bail last week failed to adhere to their 24-hour curfew, after being electronically monitored and will also appear in court this week.