Western Bay of Plenty Police run 32 hour continuous checkpoints over weekend

Western Bay of Plenty Road Policing staff conducted a continuous breath alcohol testing checkpoint over the weekend at various locations around Tauranga. The checkpoint ran for 32 hours from Friday evening until early Sunday morning.

Sergeant Roser of the Western Bay of Plenty Traffic Alcohol Group said 26 drivers were caught driving with breath alcohol levels over the legal limit, out of over 6300 motorists tested. One driver was caught allegedly driving under the influence of cannabis.

"While the results were disappointing to see so many drunk drivers on roads were willing to put other people’s lives at risk through their own arrogant choices, it was pleasing to remove these drivers making the roads safer for the weekend.

"The checkpoint highlights the fact that breath alcohol testing is conducted anywhere at anytime. The operation was part of the annual Police operation “Profile”, aimed at raising the awareness of drunk and drugged driving and the risks of being caught by Police or causing serious harm or fatalities in a motor vehicle crash."

Sergeant Roser said the public have recently seen the tragic consequences a drunk driver’s selfish actions can have on innocent road users and pedestrians in the fatal crash south of Otaki, and he warns the public that day time drinkers and people that have been on a drinking binge the night before can be present on our roads at any time.

A 41 year old local man was caught at a checkpoint on Turret Road at around 3:00pm driving with a breath alcohol level in excess of 710 micrograms of alcohol per litre of breath. The adult limit is 400.

Mr Roser would like to thank the many people that went through the checkpoints over the weekend and expressed their thanks to the Police staff for doing a good and necessary job.

"It’s heartening to see the public support for proactive action against drunk driving and it's only with that support that we will make inroads into reducing the road toll."