Drink-driver caught four times over limit on way to work after watching rugby

The woman was almost four times over the legal alcohol limit. Photo / Duncan Brown

A woman who got up early to watch the rugby has been caught driving to work at almost four times the legal alcohol limit.

The 47-year-old woman was stopped for speeding in Stoke, Nelson, about 7.20am today, said Senior Sergeant John Price of Nelson police.

She had been drinking while watching the All Blacks take on Argentina this morning and was found to have 943mcg of alcohol per litre of breath in her system.

She was driving at more than 20km/h over the speed limit.

Mr Price said there were three "very concerning" factors to the incident.

"Firstly we have a drunk driver, secondly she is driving well in excess of the speed limit and thirdly she is heading to work. I'm just relieved she was stopped before she, or anyone else, was harmed by her actions," he said.

Police have been monitoring the roads vigilantly during Rugby World Cup games, Mr Price said.

He also advised employers to talk to staff about consuming alcohol before arriving at work.

"We all want to get behind the All Blacks and enjoy the rugby but if you're driving after the game our advice is to not drink alcohol and if you drink, don't drive," he said.

The incident comes after thousands of West Auckland motorists were breath-tested for alcohol at the weekend as part of a police blitz to make sure people were not drink-driving during the Rugby World Cup.

More than 4300 people were stopped at checkpoints in and around Henderson and New Lynn on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights to check their alcohol levels.

A total of 43 drivers were found to be over the limit.