To have a list of 69 defendants called that day and to have not one new drink-driver was worthy of comment, he said.
He normally dealt with 10 to 12 in Oamaru, he said.
"I think it's probably the first time I can remember in nearly seven years sitting here in Oamaru that we haven't had a new drink-driver appear in court," he said.
Although Judge O'Driscoll dealt with four drink-drivers on Wednesday, all had previously appeared and were being sentenced.
There was not even a registrar's adjournment for anyone charged with drink-driving.
At a time other judges were criticising the large number of drink-drivers, particularly in Queenstown, Alexandra and Balclutha, having a day without a new drink-driver appearing was "extraordinary", Judge O'Driscoll said.
He hoped it could be the start of a downward trend, and a sign that people in North Otago were "getting the message".
There were many people doing good work in the district, such as education in schools and the recidivist drink-driving prevention programme, in which a DVD is played to drink-drivers in Oamaru before sentencing.
He believed that work probably accounted for a reduction in numbers.
There was greater community awareness of the issue, he said.
Prosecutor Tim Hambleton said it was a pleasing trend and a credit to the local community.
Waitaki community safety officer Alison Banks said the community had really got behind initiatives developed to address alcohol issues and it was now starting to reap the benefits.
