A local politician from a leafy, well-to-do village has been charged with drink-driving and refusing to accompany a police officer.

Learner and restricted drivers will no longer be able to put off their graduation to a full licence after the Government announced plans to set a five-year time limit.

The proposal to lower the blood-alcohol limit for driving from 80mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood to 50mg dates back to at least 2001.

Police have waived 112 fines for drivers using cellphones since the ban came into place.

The road toll for the year stands at 318 - more than 40 higher than the 2011 tally.

A Tauranga mother caught drink-driving with her four children in the car after she drove through a check-point, almost hitting a police officer, has avoided jail.

A judge has thrown out a drink-driving charge against a Westport lawyer because police gained evidence unfairly.

A driver caught doing 200km/h has the dubious honour of being ticketed for the country's highest recorded speed in the past year.

Comedian Mike King has been ordered to complete 200 hours of community work after pleading guilty to a driving charge.

Suspected drink-drivers could be prosecuted on the evidence of a breath test alone, even if they had requested a blood test, under a bill expected to come before Parliament.