Five Whangarei men face court this week after police say they were caught driving while over the legal alcohol limit, with one more than three times over the limit.
Acting Sergeant Adam Groves, of Whangarei police, said all five of the motorists had their driving licenses suspended for 28 days as they were allegedly caught with more than 650 micrograms of alcohol per litre of breath.
The legal limit for motorists aged 20 and over is 400mcg per litre of blood.
Mr Groves said a 45-year-old man allegedly had a breath alcohol level of 1239mcg per litre of breath when he was stopped in Kamo on Saturday night.
He said the man failed to indicate when he pulled out in front of a police patrol car on Station Rd about 8.19pm.
Police stopped the man and gave him a breath test. He was kept in police custody over the weekend and was to appear in Whangarei District Court today charged with driving with excess breath alcohol for a third or subsequent time.
A 22-year-old who allegedly led police on a chase through part of town had a level of 846mcg of alcohol when caught on Saturday night, Mr Groves said.
He said the man was seen speeding along Bank St and when police turned to follow he drove down Mansfield Terrace along a service lane and into Hunt St.
Mr Groves said the man then allegedly ran off from the car but was caught as he was about to enter a Bank St bar.
The man was charged with driving with excess breath alcohol, reckless driving and failing to stop.
A 24-year-old man was charged with driving with excess breath alcohol and careless driving after allegedly driving across a footpath in Tikipunga about 3.40am on Saturday.
Mr Groves said the man had a breath alcohol level of 733mcg.
Police stopped a 55-year-old man driving on Denby Cres, Tikipunga about 12.40am on Saturday who recorded a level of 712mcg of alcohol.
Mr Groves said the man was charged with driving with excess breath alcohol.
A man, aged 29, allegedly recorded a level of 681mcg when stopped in Abbots Way, Otaika, about 4.15am on Saturday and was also charged with driving with excess breath alcohol.
Drink-drive face court after weekend
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