Police data suggests the worst offender was a Cromwell man who recorded a breath-alcohol reading of 2094mcg, more than eight times the legal limit of 250mcg.
The 45-year-old was tested after crashing his car on State Highway 8’s Clyde-Alexandra Rd at 5pm on July 20.
The data supplied by police covers the period January 1 to November 22.
On December 2, a 46-year-old man from Jacks Point, near Queenstown, was stopped by police in the resort’s Kawarau Rd about 3.15pm after a complaint about his driving.
He said he had been drinking the night before and was on his way to pick up his wife from work.
His breath-alcohol level was 1981mcg — nearly seven times the limit.
He has since admitted drink-driving and will be sentenced next year.
The police data shows that up to November 22 police took action — including prosecutions, referrals to Youth Aid and other actions — against drink-drivers in Otago 581 times this year and against 298 motorists in Southland.
The highest breath-alcohol level recorded in Southland up to November 22 was 1749mcg — nearly seven times the legal limit.
National road policing manager Superintendent Steve Greally said at this time of year people should be planning for holidays away, not organising tangi and funerals for loved ones who had died in car crashes.
Police would be out on roads in significant numbers, often in locations least expected, and be particularly focused on drink-driving this summer, he warned.
Socialising was fun, but drinking and driving should not be mixed.
Speed, alcohol, distraction and unrestrained drivers and passengers were still the main causes of death and serious injury.
‘‘Expect to see police patrols anytime, anywhere — please take your time and drive to the conditions.
‘‘Alcohol is a factor in far too many fatal and serious crashes and the consequences are not worth the risk.’’
