The head of police in Central Otago has issued a warning for festive season revellers, in the wake of four drivers allegedly drink-driving at the weekend.
''I know there's a lot of work dos and parties coming up in the next week, so before you go drinking, make sure you have a safe way of getting home,'' the district sub-area supervisor, Senior Sergeant Ian Kerrisk said yesterday.
The number of arrests at the weekend, in Alexandra, Roxburgh and Cromwell, was disappointing and any drivers taking a gamble and driving while over the legal alcohol limit should expect to face the consequences, he said.
''One of the trends we've noticed is that while all our hotels have courtesy coaches, which is a good system, people having a few drinks in private homes or at other, non-licensed venues, like halls, are more likely to choose to drive home afterwards.
"We'd ask those hosting parties to make arrangements for their guests to get home safely.''
Central Otago drivers arrested at the weekend for alleged drink-driving were a 17-year-old Alexandra man (breath-alcohol level of 375mcg), a 59-year-old Cromwell man (522mcg), a 24-year-old Roxburgh man (641mcg) and a 29-year-old Clyde man (alleged level 477mcg).
They will appear in the Alexandra District Court on January 29 to face drink-driving charges.
