Hawke's Bay police were stunned by the number of people who drank and drove at Easter Weekend.
The Eastern District Road Policing manager, Inspector Chris Wallace, said officers on roving checkpoint and compulsory breath-testing operations found that eight of those stopped had three or more drink-driving convictions.
"That is just simply selfishbehaviour," he said. "These people pose a very serious risk to the safety of everyone on the roads."
In total, 30 people were facing drink-driving charges from the Easter blitz in the Bay. Two were aged under 20.
"Drink-driving remains a major concern," Mr Wallace said.
It was the black spot of an otherwise good period on the region's roads.
"There were also a number of speeding-infringement notices issued - proving that if people make the decision to speed then they are inviting the intervention of police.
"But overall we were impressed with the nature of most of the driving. We were pleased to see a drop in the number of serious crashes in Hawke's Bay, and across the country."
Five people died on the country's roads during the Easter holiday period, seven fewer than last year.
The police roading national manager, Superintendent Paula Rose, said they had wanted better than last year's horror Easter weekend when 12 people died.
"What I am happy with is that the deaths that took place were not the travellers who were going to and from holiday destinations," she said. "The deaths over the weekend could have been on any weekend."
Ms Rose said there was a "significant increase" in the number of officers on the roads. Police conducted more than 70,000 breath tests nationally. A normal weekend sees about 20,000.
Complete drink-driver numbers were yet to be compiled.
The Easter holiday weekend ended today at 6am.
