Police have caught 38 drunk drivers in Northland within the span of a week – including one an officer said “could barely speak”.
Ahead of the upcoming long weekend, police said it would be out on the road at any time, with a clear intention to stop and prevent unsafe driving behaviour.
Northland road policing manager Inspector John Fagan said the behaviour in Northland was “extremely disappointing”.
In one incident, an off-duty officer called 111 on Saturday after witnessing a vehicle crossing the centreline and narrowly avoiding a head-on collision.
When officers located the vehicle, it was observed almost crashing into another car, according to Fagan.
“The driver was so intoxicated they could barely speak and, when officers tried to walk them to their patrol car, they fell over the curb.”
Speeding and drug drivers had also been a problem in recent weeks.
Fagan said last Thursday, police stopped a vehicle that was travelling at 143km/h.
“This driver was suspended on the spot. However, she was stopped driving again only 90 minutes later.”
The woman was summoned to appear in court and the car was impounded.
Police said many drivers made long journeys over long weekends and tired drivers made mistakes. Those making long journeys should take regular breaks and split the driving with someone if they could.
“Having your seatbelt on, driving to the conditions and not being distracted while driving can be the difference in walking away from a crash or being seriously injured or worse.”
