Northland's road police boss is warning drink drivers they will be caught after seven alleged offenders were stopped in the region over the weekend, including four recidivists.
Northland road policing manager Inspector Murray Hodson said it was disappointing that police had caught so many alleged drink drivers, especially as most were repeat offenders.
But, Mr Murray said, it also showed that police are out and about and catching those that risked lives by driving after drinking. And he had a simple message: "we will catch you."
A 34-year-old Whangarei woman stopped on State Highway One near Hikurangi at 3.45am on Sunday allegedly had a reading of 576 micrograms of alcohol per litre of breath, above the legal limit for those aged over 20 of 400mcg. She was charged with driving with excess breath alcohol, as were a 21-year-old Otangarei man stopped at 4am on Saturday and an Onerahi man, aged 27.
Meanwhile, a Paparoa man, aged 51, allegedly had a reading of 539mcg when stopped at 1.50am on Sunday; a 36-year-old man allegedly blew 780mcg on Central Ave on Friday night and a Whangarei man aged 33 allegedly recorded 680mcg when stopped at 3am on Sunday.