Third of drink-drivers under 20

Auckland police caught 94 drink drivers over the weekend, almost a third of whom were under 20 years old.

Police checked 8414 vehicles at 10 roadside locations in an anti drink driving operation.

Auckland road policing manager, Inspector Heather Wells, said among the 94 drivers detected, 19 had their blood tested to determine whether or not they will face court proceedings.

"Among those who tested positive for breath alcohol, there were 29 drivers who were under 20 years of age," she said.

During the operation, which included the main arterial on ramps from the city onto the motorway, 12 people were arrested for dangerous driving, failing to stop, driving while disqualified and warrants for their arrest.

"Police also impounded six vehicles, and there were 20 persons who had their driver's licence suspended," Ms Wells said.

In a similar operation carried out in February, there were 7958 vehicles stopped, with 104 drivers prosecuted for driving with excess breath alcohol, 21 drivers were under 20.

"These results are concerning. They clearly indicate the 'Don't Drink and Drive' message is simply being ignored by some people," she said.

One male driver stopped was almost three times over the legal limit with 1100 micrograms of alcohol per litre of breath -- the permitted level is 400 micrograms of alcohol per breath.

"Police will continue to have ongoing checkpoints and we would like to clearly state to the drivers who make it their choice to drink and drive, 'You will be caught'," Ms Wells said.

- NZPA