Motorists who were stopped at checkpoints in Wellington and south Auckland last night are being praised by the police, who say only seven will be charged with drink-driving.
That was out of a total of nearly 4000 drivers stopped at three checkpoints in Wellington and four in Counties-Manukau.
National road policing manager Steve Greally said a further six drivers - three in each district - were issued infringements under the new lowered adult alcohol limit.
He said overall it was a good start to the festive season.
Mr Greally said with Christmas work parties and other festivities in full swing there was a greater risk on the country's roads.
He said alcohol accounted for about 28 percent of all serious injury and fatal crashes, and speed accounted for more than 30 percent.
A reduced speed-limit tolerance of four kilometres an hour will be enforced until the end of January.
