Sergeant Bruce Martin and officers from the Alexandra-based Rural Drink Drive Squad breath-tested about 1230 drivers at checkpoints and random stops.
Two of the eight drink-drivers recorded breath alcohol levels between 250mcg and 400mcg, and were subsequently fined and given demerit points.
The other six motorists, recording breath-alcohol levels from 494mcg to 784mcg, will appear in the Oamaru District Court next month.
While the Rural Drink Drive Squad was stationed at a checkpoint in Oamaru's North End on Friday night, police received a *555 call from a motorist concerned about the driving of a vehicle he was following south on State Highway1.
The motorist followed the vehicle from Glenavy to Oamaru, where the driver was stopped by police at 6.50pm and recorded a breath-alcohol level of 494mcg.
The 45-year-old Invercargill man will appear in court charged with driving with excess breath-alcohol.
The driver, who had allegedly almost caused a head-on crash between Glenavy and Oamaru as he crossed the centre line, was also charged with dangerous driving.
Entering Oamaru, he had attempted to avoid the police checkpoint by turning into the industrial area, Sgt Martin said.
Sgt Martin said police greatly appreciated the assistance provided by the public in alerting them to issues of concern.
''I was very impressed with the motorist who called in the drink-driver,'' Sgt Martin said.
Sergeant Craig Sew Hoy, of Oamaru, said it was disappointing to see eight people drink-driving over the weekend.
''Obviously, it's not ideal if there have been any caught at all,'' Sgt Sew Hoy said.
He reminded drivers to plan ahead if they were going to be drinking.
''It's a reminder to think about how they are getting home after social events,'' he said.
''That decision needs to be made before they go out.''
The Rural Drink Drive Squad also apprehended two motorists who had been forbidden to drive.
Their vehicles were impounded.
A 16-year-old Waimate youth and a 25-year-old Oamaru man will appear in the Oamaru District Court next month facing charges of driving without a licence.
