The numbers speak for themselves. With no deaths on Otago and Southland roads, police say their visible presence and message appears to be getting through to motorists.
By 5pm last night, 70 Dunedin police officers staffed 25 hours worth of checkpoints, conducted almost 4000 breath-tests, and handed out almost 3000 lollipops and fliers with the support of Students Against Driving Drunk (Sadd).
Acting Senior Sergeant Chris McLellan said the checkpoints south and north of the city netted only one drink driver, while mobile patrols stopped a further four around central Dunedin.
That included one motorist caught driving the wrong direction down the one-way system, who recorded a breath alcohol reading of 993mcg on Friday morning.
The legal limit is 400mcg.
Police also issued 104 infringement notices.
The owner of a late model BMW was likely to have their licence suspended for 28 days after a police patrol clocked the vehicle travelling at 158kmh on the motorway near Mosgiel, he said.
The speed tolerance was reduced to 4kmh over the posted limit, during the holiday period.
Sgt McLellan said the heavy police presence on the road "could have saved a life" and the majority of motorists supported the increased presence.
The Operation 5 campaign was a road safety partnership between Police, ACC, NZTA and Sadd, and aimed to reducing the road toll this Queen's Birthday weekend.
The official holiday period ends at 6am today.
Police throughout the Southern region reported good driving behaviour.
However, one speed camera was working overtime in Milton.
Senior Sergeant Mel Aitken said one police camera vehicle snapped 360 motorists between 9am and 3pm on Sunday.
The camera was located inside the 50kmh zone, and infringement notices for motorists exceeding the speed limit would start from $30, she said.
"It is not about revenue gathering; it is about road safety."
