Man stopped at police checkpoint was six times over limit, had nine prior convictions for drink driving

Around 9200 drivers were checked in the police sting and of these 62 drivers were over the limit. Photo / File

One man stopped at a police checkpoint in the Waikato at the weekend was almost six times over the limit and had nine prior convictions for drink driving.

The driver was one of 62 motorists processed for excess breath alcohol, out of about 9200 drivers checked as part of an operation targeting drink driving.

He had been remanded in custody and would face excess breath alcohol charges.

Senior Sergeant Gillian Meadows of Waikato road policing team said the results from the operation were both "astounding and disappointing".

"A number of drivers stopped were found to be over the legal limit," she said.

Meadows urged anyone heading out for festive drinks to plan ahead and organise a sober driver or a taxi.

"With the holiday season upon us, our staff are working hard to keep everyone
on our roads safe, however we can't do it alone."