Wake-up call for drinking drivers

By LOUISA CLEAVE

Drink-drivers leaving central Auckland early yesterday found themselves caught in a police net that covered the city.

Inspector George Fraser said 90 police from across Auckland were involved in the checkpoints, set up throughout the central business district and giving people "no alternative route".

The checkpoints targeted all major roads, with an emphasis on the motorway on-ramps leading north, west and south of the central city.

One driver attempted to get away by reversing away from a checkpoint in one-way Hobson St.

Police ran after the car as the driver reversed into on-coming traffic, taking out cones and signs.

He then abandoned his car and took off on foot but was found later by a police dog.

The driver was marched by a police inspector down Hobson St to the booze bus to be processed, a police spokesman said.

The man was charged with excess breath-alcohol and reckless driving.

Police found a total of 140 drivers over the limit, out of 15,856 vehicles stopped, Mr Fraser said.

A further 42 people requested blood tests.

Twelve vehicles were seized and 17 people had their driver's licence suspended.

Mr Fraser said Operation Wake-up, which began about 3am and went through to daylight hours, was the largest drink-driving blitz in Auckland.

Police were disappointed at the number of people behind the wheel who had been drinking.

"It is disappointing that so many drivers chose the potentially lethal mix of drinking and driving," said Mr Fraser.