Hawke's Bay Police ramped up their summer road policing campaign last night with a highly visible alcohol checkpoint on SH50A, near Pakowhai.
During the five-hour checkpoint about 3000 vehicles were stopped and the driver breath tested. Of this, 13 people returned positive results and were stopped from driving while five vehicles were also impounded from disqualified drivers.
Sergeant Kent Gilmore of the Eastern District Traffic Alcohol Group says staff were overwhelmed by the good nature and support displayed by the majority of people who were driving responsibly.
"But the number of drivers still willing to risk harming others in the community by driving whilst impaired is extremely alarming.
"We will be out in force on the roads this summer to spread the message that road safety is everyone's responsibility and needs to be taken seriously.