Tennant Creek Police were alerted to a person driving in an erratic and dangerous manner on Paterson Street in the early hours of Wednesday.

Witnesses reported the Toyota Landcruiser Ute was putting other road users and pedestrians at risk with his behaviour.

Police conducted patrols and quickly located the vehicle calling on the driver to stop.  The driver ignored requests and continued down the main road allegedly reaching speeds of 80 kilometres-an-hour in a posted 50 area before turning onto a dirt track.

Shortly after leaving the sealed road the vehicle went into a skid and rolled onto its side.

Police believe the Toyota had been travelling at between 25 and 30 kilometres an hour before hitting ruts in the dirt road causing the driver to loose control.

The 21 year-old driver was unhurt and was arrested.  He has been charged with driving in a dangerous manner, failing to stop and recording a high range breath test of 0.166%

Senior Sergeant Shane Shewring said it was fortunate no one was seriously hurt and that traffic offences were going to be a major target in the coming weeks

“Operation Crossroads begins on the weekend and Police will be adopting a zero tolerance approach to poor driving behaviour in an effort to keep people safe over the Christmas period.”