Drunk youth shocks police

The behaviour of an 18-year-old who was stopped twice during a drink driving blitz "defies comment", North Shore police commander inspector Les Paterson says.

The young man blew 547mcg when stopped at a Takapuna checkpoint on Esmonde Rd on Friday night. The alcohol limit for youth is 150mcg.

Then on Saturday night he was found to be over the limit at a checkpoint on Lake Rd in Takapuna, Mr Paterson says.

He is to appear in the North Shore District Court later this month.

Nearly 20 drivers' licences were suspended during the North Shore drink-drive operation on the weekend.

North Shore police and specialist staff from Waitakere, Rodney and the traffic alcohol group breath tested 13,036 drivers, senior sergeant Rod Fraser says.

Of these, 64 were found to have consumed excess alcohol and 18 motorists had their licences suspended after they were found to have in excess of 650mcg of alcohol per litre of breath, Mr Fraser says.

Police impounded six vehicles, he says.

The operation Lock Down was a continuation of a series of drink-drive operations.

"While it is always disappointing to apprehend any motorist who thinks it's acceptable to get behind the wheel of an automobile after drinking excessive amounts of alcohol, I am pleased to see a downturn in the numbers of apprehensions as compared to recent similar operations," Mr Fraser says.

He says there will be more big drink-drive blitzes before Christmas.

- © Fairfax NZ News