Six hundred and sixty six, a number normally associated with Hollywood images of horror but for one Waikato driver it was the number heralding his sixth charge for excess breath alcohol.
District Road Policing Manager, Inspector Leo Tooman, said of the 27 drivers found behind the wheel under the influence of alcohol over the weekend, 10 were female and 17 were male.
"And its mature drivers who are of particular concern, the highest level recorded was that of a 52-year-old man who returned a result of 1021mgms at Te Aroha while the highest reading for a female was a woman who had a result of 705mgms.
"Three men, aged 40, 42 and 50, were charged with third or subsequent excess breath alcohol after each was found to be driving under the influence for the fourth time while a 29-year-old man returned a result of 666mgms and was charged for his sixth offence."
"Obviously that result (666) will attract some commentary but the risk posed by these drivers is no laughing matter and 27 intoxicated drivers apprehended is far, far too many."
The 27 arrests resulted from 3353 drivers being breath tested on Friday and 2820 drivers on Saturday. In addition Police are awaiting blood test results from two other drivers while one was arrested for refusing to be tested altogether.
Other arrests from the drink driving checkpoints included a driver being arrested for breach of bail, two others arrested for driving while disqualified and driving while suspended.
In addition two men were arrested on drugs and weapons charges after their vehicle was stopped after fleeing a checkpoint in Hamilton.
A knife, knuckle duster, ecstasy tablets and 3gms of methamphetamine were among the items recovered and further charges are likely.
"Clearly the messages of the risks posed by driving under the influence of alcohol are not sinking in with our mature audience.
"Often Police encounter an attitude from mature drivers that it is the young boy or girl racers who pose the risk on our roads, not me; 'I've been driving for 20-30 years.' But clearly, as the results have shown, mature age is no guarantee of mature behaviour."
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