Drink driving warning over Easter

Police are warning drivers not to drive drunk this Easter.

Police are warning motorists to behave on Northland's roads this Easter Weekend, with officers out in force targeting speeding and drinking drivers.

The warning comes after police say five drink drivers were caught on the roads in Whangarei and Kaipara over the weekend.

Northland police spokeswoman Sarah Kennett said it was disappointing that some motorists were still not heeding the don't drink and drive message, but warned police would likely catch those that take the chance.

"We will be out in force over Easter Weekend (April 3-6) and we will be focusing on high risk behaviour, including those that drink alcohol and drive," Mrs Kennett said.

"Everybody who is stopped by police will be breath tested. The potential outcome (of drink driving) is not good."

The legal limit for motorists aged 20 and over is 250 micrograms of alcohol per litre of breath - or 50 milligrams per 100 millilitres of blood - while there is a zero limit for motorists aged under 20.

She said a male motorists, aged 30, stopped on View St, Maungaturoto, at 1.30am on Saturday allegedly recorded a level of 678mcg and was charged with drink driving. A 31-year-old female motorist stopped on Awakino Rd, Dargaville on Friday evening allegedly had a reading of 651mcg and she was charged with driving with excess breath alcohol.

Police called to Paramount parade, Tikipunga, about 12.45am on Saturday found a man allegedly waving a knife around in public.

He had also driven to the road and a test found he allegedly had a level of 487mcg.

An 18-year-old man stopped in central Whangarei about 4am on Saturday allegedly recorded a level of 372mcg and was charged with driving with excess breath alcohol. And a 23-year-old man stopped on State Highway 12, Ruawai, at 12.15am on Sunday allegedly had a reading of 678mcg.

He was charged with driving with excess breath alcohol fora third or subsequent time.