Auckland police launch summer-long drink-driving blitz

Auckland police are cracking down on drunk driving across the region with a summer-long checkpoint blitz.

Last weekend saw the start of its summer operation with nearly 20 checkpoints set up across the region.

And police are promising to be out and about in force in the lead-up to Christmas and right across the summer holidays.

Auckland City’s road policing manager Inspector Juliet Burgess said numerous checkpoints would be set up across the region as part of police’s plan to support Auckland Transport’s Drink Free summer campaign.

Last Friday and Saturday night 4,000 tests were conducted across the city with 19 people found to be over the limit.

In one instance, a 29-year-old man blew four times the legal limit and was subsequently charged with driving with excess breath alcohol.

Another motorist who evaded a checkpoint was found to have a minor in the car who was not wearing a seatbelt.

“Police caught up with this vehicle and our staff were concerned to see there was an unrestrained child in the vehicle,” Burgess said.

“The vehicle was directed to return to the checkpoint, and we ensured there was advice provided by staff from Auckland Transport to this driver about the importance of making sure our kids are buckled up.”

She said 37 infringement notices were issued to motorists over the weekend for numerous dangerous driving behaviours, such as speeding, restraints or driving using a mobile phone.

“It’s great to see so many people driving drink free, but that result is still 19 people too many to be drinking and then driving on our roads,” said Burgess.

“The upcoming holiday period should be a memorable time with your loved ones, rather than one for all the wrong reasons.”

She said the blitz would run all the way up to Christmas and across the summer holidays to ensure roads remained safe.

Auckland motorists should expect to see Police out and about leading up to Christmas and right across the summer holidays.

“Make sure you’re not choosing to drive after drinking this summer,” Burgess said.

“We’ll continue to do our part to ensure everyone is safe on our roads. We ask motorists and riders to join us and share this responsibility too.”