Waikato Police concerned female drivers not heeding drink driving message

While most drivers appear to be heeding the message about the dangers of drinking and driving Waikato Police are concerned the fairer sex may be ignoring the risks.

Acting Waikato Road Policing Manager, Senior Sergeant Jeff Penno, said there was a high profile Police presence on the District's roads over the Fieldays with a key focus being on compliance with the legal alcohol limit.

"Over Thursday and Friday night all three of our Traffic Alcohol Groups were out, backed up by the Illegal Street Racer Unit and Highway Patrol Staff.

Mr Penno said 4561 drivers were stopped and breath tested over the two nights with 35 drivers found to be driving with excess breath alcohol and another eight drivers electing blood tests.

"However we were dismayed at the number of intoxicated female drivers. This is a real and continuing trend and it's alarming. The two highest results recorded where both female; a 42- year-old who recorded 1128 micrograms of alcohol per litre of breath & a 22 year had the second highest reading at 1152. The legal limit is 400.

"This is grossly intoxicated. I would have concerns for these women out in public and their ability to look after themselves let alone behind the wheel of a car. It is just not good enough and the risk to other innocent members of the public in totally unacceptable"

Both women had previous drink driving convictions.

"These results follow the tragic loss of a woman aged in her 20s on 30 April at Walton in an alcohol related crash. We need to get the message through to female drivers that they are no more immune to the risks associated with drinking and driving than our men."

Mr Penno said overall, with the high number of drivers stopped, Police were pleased with the low percentage of drivers who had been drinking.

"With more major drink driving operations planned for 2010 drivers should take heed of the warnings, we're determined to get the message through that if you drink, do not drive".