Police vow to hunt down festive season drink drivers

Alcohol checkpoints will appear in high numbers around Auckland over the holidays, police say. Photo / Dean Purcell

Those willing to drive drunk these holidays be warned - police are stepping up efforts to bust drink drivers and you will be caught, they say.

More police and a high number of alcohol checkpoints will appear around Auckland, as the festive season looms, with the clampdown on drunk drivers already pulling in high numbers at the weekend.

At alcohol checkpoints in Papakura and Manukau on Saturday night, police stopped just over 7500 vehicles.

Of those, 81 drivers are now due to make court appearances - facing charges of excessive breath alcohol - 32 were women and included one who was heavily pregnant and another who was heading home to breastfeed her 4-month-old baby.

A total of 14 drivers under the age of 20 were also among those caught driving drunk.

Inspector Heather Wells, Counties Manukau road policing manager, said she was "just disgusted" at the result and says the high figures - although likely to increase over the silly season - would be addressed very seriously.

"There'll be more emphasis on drink driving, put it that way, because of Christmas and New Year when people are out at parties and things."

"The number of women [caught] was just amazing. Years ago, it was just men who were dumb enough to drink drive, but this appears to be changing."

The high number of teenagers caught in the weekend blitz was also a worrying sign, Ms Wells said, with a 15-year-old unlicensed driver blowing 400 micrograms of alcohol per litre of breath. That figure was more than double the limit for a driver under 20 years old.

"It's far too young to be drinking alcohol in the first place. It's time for our adults to lead by example and don't drink and drive," she said.

Twelve drivers chose to have a blood sample taken. The weekend booze blitz comes after top New Zealand and Australian police officers last month announced they would be banding together to tackle drunken violence.

Although drink driving was a high priority for police this season, it was other forms of alcohol-related issues, including domestic violence, violent offending and drug use, that was also being dealt to these holidays, Ms Wells said.

Police arrested seven people for offences including possession of stolen vehicles and drugs, dangerous driving and failing to stop for police.

Police were not surprised by the number they caught, Ms Wells said. "Unfortunately, it's not unusual for our district. There is a drink problem out there and, despite our efforts, people are still drink driving."

However, the problem could be easily stopped. Many of the people were coming from parties, where a quick word from friends or family members could have easily prevented fines, suspended licenses and court appearances.

"Everybody has got to stop these people from driving. It's an easy fix - and easiest by the person who is about to get behind the wheel."

- ADDITIONAL REPORTING: NZPA