It is no secret there are still too many Kiwis getting behind the wheel after consuming alcohol. Reporter Daisy Hudson headed out with Dunedin police to get a look at the problem first hand.
Does the idea of scoffing raw meat make your stomach turn?
How about eating the crystals from the bottom of a urinal?
They are just some of the methods Sergeant Bruce Martin has seen intoxicated drivers use to try to sober themselves up before taking a breath test.
After decades as a police officer and 18 years of manning the Central Otago booze bus, Sgt Martin has pretty much seen, and heard, it all.
The Alexandra officer was one of several out on the streets in Dunedin over the weekend for a drink-driving operation.
It was the first time the Central Otago-based booze bus had been in Dunedin for two years.
Seven officers donned high-vis gear and lined Gowland St about 10pm on Saturday, waving through a steady stream of motorists to be breath-tested.
It was one of three checkpoints run over the weekend, involving 2017 tests and finding 14 drink-drivers.
Another driver was processed for drug-driving, and one person was caught driving while disqualified.
Acting Sergeant Richard Kupenga was running the show. His summary of the weekend was to the point.
"This is disappointing, Dunedin.
"It shows there are a lot of people driving with alcohol in their system."
He had been drinking beer and rum, he told him. How much?
"Enough to land me in here."
It was his third drink-driving offence.
Another driver made sure to take the half-empty Vodka Cruiser from his cup holder with him after he was processed.
It is a simple process if you find yourself on board the bus.
Two blows into a long tube, and a short wait for results that print off the machine like a receipt.
If you record more than 400mcg, you have the option of asking for a blood test.
Sgt Martin said he had only come across one instance when a blood test came back lower than the breath result.
Despite the negative reasons for which most people find themselves on board, the officers try to keep the mood relatively light.
For example, a picture of The Count from Sesame Street has been stuck on the cupboard containing the blood-testing kits.
There is also a surprising amount of thought that goes into a checkpoint.
The spot has to be picked perfectly, to avoid presenting opportunities for people to disappear down side streets or do a U-turn.
Staff safety can also be an issue.
Sgt Martin recalled a checkpoint on Frankton Rd in Queenstown. It was minus 5degC, and a motorist tore through the checkpoint at 70kmh.
"He must have been using The Force to drive because he couldn’t see out of his windscreen."
A car full of teenagers parked along the Esplanade at St Clair drew some attention. It quickly transpired the 17-year-old driver was over the infringement level of 250mcg — but due to his age, his legal limit was zero.
He was very remorseful. That did not stop him from snapping a photo in front of the police car with some of his friends, though.
For someone who has had to knock on the doors of many people to tell them a loved one has died in a crash, Sgt Martin finds drink-driving particularly galling.
"It’s the worst part of the job.
"People need to realise what a family goes through when they lose a loved one to drink-driving. Those families never recover."
The repercussions for the driver were also severe.
Losing a job because of a drink-driving conviction, particularly in the tough Covid-19 economic situation, could have a big impact.
Sgt Martin was also aware of young people, without insurance, who had to use their house deposits to pay for damage caused in drink-driving crashes.
"They’re always really sorry the next day, but they shouldn’t get to the point of having to be sorry the next day."
Most of those they caught for drink-driving were "nice, normal people", he said.
"However, they put you and your family at risk, every other road user at risk."
