Police blitz nabs drink drivers in Whangarei

Officers will be out breath testing drivers over the festive season. PHOTO/File

A festive season police blitz saw more than 1000 vehicles stopped and drivers breath-tested with two motorists being sent to court and another 20 issued with instant fines for driving with excess alcohol.

It serves as a warning approaching a busy time on the region's roads — that drinking and then driving will not be tolerated.

A team of about 60 police were out on the roads around Whangarei last Friday at checkpoints between 3pm and midnight as well as carrying out warrant checks and visiting victims of crime. Similar operations have been carried out during the year but this was the first time it had been conducted at night.

Head of the operation Inspector Wayne Ewers said given the number of vehicles stopped, the number of drivers over the limit was not that bad, but to have detected no drivers over the alcohol level would have been the best result.

"It is disappointing that people are still trying to push the boundaries," Mr Ewers said.

During the blitz a driver allegedly failed to stop for police and ended up crashing in rush hour traffic with two children in the vehicle.

The driver faces charges of driving while disqualified, refusing to give blood, failing to stop and resisting arrest, with more charges likely.

Officers detected the smell of cannabis coming from a vehicle driven by a 16-year-old. A search of his vehicle revealed property taken from Oakura. Alcohol and jewellery were returned to the owners.

There were 20 drivers who were given an instant $200 fine and 20 demerit points after a breath test showed they were over 250 micrograms of alcohol per litre of breath but lower than 400 micrograms.

Mr Ewers said officers had received positive feedback from the community about stopping drunk drivers and making the roads safer.