Police at the Malfoy Road checkpoint in Rotorua. Photo: NZ Police
Police say drink-drivers are not getting the message after a sting prior to the Six 60 concert in Rotorua yesterday found 18 drivers were over the limit.
About 960 drivers were stopped at two police checkpoints and seven of those found to be over the limit were caught in a 75-minute period prior to the near sold-out concert.
Three vehicles were impounded, and one disqualified driver was also apprehended, police said.
Sergeant Mark Holmes said the number of drink-drivers caught was pointlessly high.
"Free buses were provided for people heading to and from the gig, and Police had warned people to expect checkpoints before and after the concert. It's incredibly frustrating we caught so many people," he said in a statement.
People did not realise the impacts a drink-driving conviction could have on their work life, home life and ability to travel abroad with possible difficulties getting insurance, credit and work visas, he said.
"This is without mentioning the catastrophic damage a crash will do to the human body, and the trauma it inflicts on those who have to deal with that. Impaired drivers are at a higher risk of crashing, and we make no apology for checkpoints that get them off the road," Holmes said.
