Drinkers Continue To Drive Say Police

A weekend anti-drink drive operation by North Shore/Waitakere/Rodney Police, and the Special Traffic Alcohol Group, has resulted in 60 people being detected for driving with excess breath alcohol.

Of this number 16 persons elected to have a blood test taken which will fully determine whether or not they too will be facing court proceedings in the near future.

Police say the pre Xmas operation was carried out on Auckland's North Shore, at 10 locations overnight, including the main arterial onramps onto the Northern Motorway.

Codenamed "Gone Fishing Two" the operation took place between 2300 and 0700 hours on Saturday 17 December 2005, and in similar hours on Sunday 18 December 2005.

A total of 6,618 vehicles were stopped.

Those who tested positive for excess breath alcohol, included one female driver aged 14 years, and a 16 year old male driver, who is on his second drink driving offence this year.

There were 22 drivers all aged under 20 years caught driving with excess breath alcohol.

Police made other notable apprehensions including a total of 12 arrests for the following:

2 x stolen vehicles

3 x disqualified drivers

2 x warrants to arrest

1 x suspended driver

2 x breaches of bail

1 x possession of cannabis

1 x perverting the course of justice.

Six cars were impounded and eight driver's licences were also suspended.

When a similar operation was carried out on the North Shore in August 2005, there were 5,183 vehicles stopped. Of these 68 drivers were prosecuted for driving with excess breath/alcohol. There were 19 drivers apprehended who were aged under 20 years.

"These latest results at the weekend are most disappointing," said Inspector Dave Walker, Officer in Charge of Auckland's Motorways, and Traffic Alcohol Group.

"They show that the pre-Xmas message of Don't Drink 'N Drive is just not getting through to some people. One male driver whom Police stopped on the motorway was found to have 1490 micrograms of alcohol per litre of breath."

"The permitted level is 400. This driver was almost four times over the legal limit," he said.

"There are options readily available so that people do not have to drink and drive."

"The price of a taxi, Dial a Driver, or engaging a sober driver, are all a lot cheaper than being prosecuted for drink driving. It's a lot easier to live with than the thought of having killed, or injured someone, seriously or otherwise."

"The Xmas holiday season commences later this week, and once again Police would like to remind all those who are gathering for the festivities to ensure host responsibility, and to make alternative choices to get home safely."

"Police will continue to have ongoing checkpoints throughout the Xmas New Year holiday period and we would like to say to all those drivers who choose to continue to drink and drive, that "YOU WILL BE CAUGHT", Inspector Walker said.

ENDS:

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