Drunk caught at 147km/h in drink-drive blitz

A woman driving at 147km/h while three times over the legal alcohol limit lost control of her car and drove into a paddock when she saw a police car's flashing lights.

The 28-year-old was charged with dangerous driving and drink-driving after the incident on SH2 near Pongakawa, Western Bay of Plenty.

Acting Senior Sergeant Mark Holmes described the driver's actions as "sheer stupidity" that placed innocent people at "considerable risk".

"This was a serious crash in the making, and only a matter of luck that no one was seriously injured or killed," he added.

The woman, from Paengaroa, is due to appear in Tauranga District Court tomorrow.

She was also given a ticket for speeding. She is one of 34 drivers facing drink-driving charges after a weekend crackdown.

More than 4300 drivers were tested during the campaign, part of three-month-long Operation Profile.

A 50-year-old Tauranga man was apprehended under new legislation for driving while under the influence of drugs.

Mr Holmes said some drivers in the Western Bay and Tauranga had a "blasé attitude" towards drinking and driving.

He warned that police would be out in force manning checkpoints over the summer.

"Fatal and injury crashes increase during summer and holiday periods and police will be working hard to make Western Bay of Plenty roads safer," Mr Holmes said.

Meanwhile, a national week-long campaign to get motorists to slow down ended with 189 tickets issued for speeding.

The highest speed recorded in a 50km/h area was 88km/h, and several drivers were stopped for exceeding 130km/h on state highways.

Mr Holmes said speeding was "still too prevalent" in the Western Bay.