Dunedin Sergeant Anthony Bond said police were called to State Highway One at Waikouaiti at 6.45am after reports of a person driving their vehicle along the road at speeds of between 5 and 10km/h.
When police arrived and signaled the driver to stop, the 46-year-old man refused to stop and attempted to flee, continuing to drive at speeds of 5-10 km/h.
A very slow and short police chase ensued, with the officer following at the same speed.
During the chase, the man opened the driver's door, stuck both feet out of the car and began looking at the police car as it drove.
This caused him to veer off the highway and into a ditch on the other side of the road.
Police stopped and the man got out of his vehicle and attempted to assault the officer, resulting in a taser attack.
“He was taken to hospital and a blood sample was taken as we suspect he was under the influence of alcohol,” said Sergeant Bond.