More than 1200 vehicles were stopped in the Wellington and Plimmerton regions in a two-hour period last night, as part of a summer road safety campaign.
A file shot of Wellington traffic. Police are urging driver responsibility as another busy summer on the roads looms. Photo: RNZ / Michael Cropp
The police, the Transport Agency, Wellington Free Ambulance and Fire and Emergency took part in the prevention operation.
The National Road Policing manager, Acting Superintendent Amelia Steel, said while the vast majority of the 1227 motorists were driving safely, too many were over the breath alcohol limit.
Three registered over 400 micrograms of alcohol per litre of breath, when the legal limit is 250mcg.
"These people need to rethink their travel. They don't care about themselves or others, that's not okay," Ms Steel said.
NZ Transport Agency general manager safety, health and environment Greg Lazzaro said it was great to be a part of the operation and see first-hand what police do to help keep people safe on the road.
"It's important we support our road safety partners and work together. Part of that is being visible alongside each other on operations like last night, and sharing road safety messages. We all want the same outcome; for people to be safe on the road."
Acting Superintendent Steel said if everybody acted responsibly every time they got in a car we would stop losing people on the road.
"It's simple; wear your seatbelt, don't go too fast for the conditions, put your phone away, and drive sober and alert."
Six tickets were issued for road safety offences, including not wearing a seatbelt.