Office Christmas parties are in full swing and so is police surveillance.
Sergeant Kate Pirovano, of Queenstown, said it was timely to remind people not to drink and drive, to make sure they have safe transport home and watch their speed if they were sober driving.
"It's a great time of year to be tolerant and considerate of your fellow mankind - that includes driving," she said.
Sgt Pirovano recommended people allow extra time to get to destinations.
"Slow down and watch your speeds and make sure everyone is safe and happy, and just enjoy the weeks leading up to Christmas."
Police have already started breath-testing drivers on most nights and early mornings.
Sgt Pirovano said "quite often" police found people over the limit in the mornings after a night out.
Liquor bans are in force from 10pm on any day until 8am the following morning and an additional ban will be in place from 6am on December 27 until 6am on January 6.
Areas included in the liquor ban are the whole of the Lake Wakatipu foreshore from the One Mile roundabout to Park St, including the Queenstown Gardens.
The resort's town centre, bordered by Lake St, Man St, Memorial St, Stanley St, Coronation Dr and Park St, is also subject to the ban.
