KEY POINTS:
Police arrested 15 people during a drink-drive blitz in Waitakere City during the weekend.
They face a variety of charges including warrants for failing to appear at court and disqualified driving,
Senior Sergeant Jacqui Whittaker said the operation, WADD 3, took place between 8pm on Friday and 4am today.
A total of 9180 vehicles processed at checkpoints strategically placed around the Waitakere suburbs.
Of these vehicles, 54 drivers were detected driving with excess breath alcohol. Eight of the drivers elected to have blood tests taken, which will determine whether or not they too will face court proceedings.
Ms Whittaker said four vehicles were impounded during the evenings and five people had their licences suspended.
"A similar operation was conducted in Waitakere in November 2006 and, while the numbers of vehicles stopped in this weekend's operation were less than in November, it is a disappointment to observe that a number of people are still choosing to drink and drive," Ms Whittaker said.
"The damage and sorrow that is caused from alcohol-related injury crashes is a concern to large number of people, however it appears that this message is not clear to those who make that choice to drink and drive."
- NZPA
