Queenstown police have issued a stern warning to drink-drivers in the resort.
Senior Sergeant Paula Enoka told the Otago Daily Times nine people were arrested over the weekend.
They will appear in court for recording an excess breath-alcohol level.
She is ``concerned'' with the number of drink-drivers being processed, confirming that seven were arrested the week before.
``Police don't want to pick them up off the side of the road after they have crashed.
``That is the last job police want to do, to tell a family that a loved one is not coming home.''
Snr Sgt Enoka is worried local residents are ``taking a chance'' and driving home after a few drinks.
She stressed they may not be able to react in time and ``cause harm to other road users''.
The alleged drink-drivers were stopped at various times and locations; some at police check points and others in random stops, Snr Sgt Enoka confirmed.
She said those abiding by road rules should not be put at risk by those flouting the law.
