One of those was a motorist towing a trailer who was 35km/h over the 90km/h limit for towing a trailer. They were stopped just south of Whangarei.
"The (standard open road) speed limit is 100km/h and that's what people should be travelling at. A lot of people know that we have a threshold that we don't ticket but the community have to be prepared to be stopped," he said.
Mr Ewers said some of the drivers stopped were aware of the summer campaign but many were not.
He was not surprised at the number of tickets issued on the first day.
"I don't want to see anyone getting an infringement. We just want them to slow down because it has a flow-on effect on lowering hospital rates and road trauma."
Highway patrol officers would be out on the roads and very visible at peak times and well-known crash spots across the region during the campaign.
There will also be a strong focus on impaired driving and other high-risk behaviour. Every driver stopped can expect to be breath-tested.
With December 1 also marking the one-year anniversary of legislation lowering the adult alcohol limit, police are encouraged that many drivers seem to be getting the message and deciding not to drive after drinking.
Nationally at the end of October 2015, there was almost two and a half thousand fewer drivers caught in the over 400micrograms/80milligrams bracket since the new legislation came in, compared with the same period the previous year.
Whangarei and Kaipara road safety education manager Gillian Archer supported the initiative and said it would make people focus on their speeds and keep to an appropriate and legal speed. "Speed is the number one risk factor in fatal and serious crashes in our district. It used to be alcohol but now it is speed."
The road toll for Northland stands at 19, equalling last year's final total. At the same time last year, 13 people had died on Northland roads.
"That's a disappointing total. We don't want any more trauma on our roads over summer."
Penalties for speeding
Speeding fines increase progressively from $30 for speeds less than 10km/h over the limit, to a maximum fine of $630 for speeds up to 50km/h over the limit.
At more than 40km/h above the speed limit, you could also get a 28-day licence suspension.
At more than 50km/h over the limit, you could be charged with careless, dangerous or reckless driving.
Fines: 10km/h or less $30; 11-15km/h $80; 16-20km/h $120; 21-25km/h $170; 26-30km/h $230; 31-35km/h $300; 36-40km/h $400; 41-45km/h $510; 46-50km/h $630.
Source: New Zealand Police
