How many Southlanders can you fit in a ute?
The answer, it seems, is 12. And Invercargill police are not impressed.
Senior Sergeant Maggie Windle, of Invercargill, said police pulled over a ute in the city on Saturday evening with six adults in the cab and another six on the back.
Even more alarming, the driver, in his 20s, was breath-tested and blew a reading of 887mcg, Snr Sgt Windle said.
The legal limit is 400mcg.
"It's very disappointing," she said.
Snr Sgt Windle said the driver was one of 3316 motorists pulled over by Invercargill police at the weekend, and one of 10 who blew positive readings.
The highest reading of the campaign came from a female stopped on Clyde St on Friday evening. She blew 1002mcg.
A further 217 infringement notices were issued to drivers, predominantly for breaches of licence conditions.
Between 9pm on Saturday and 2.30am on Sunday, police also arrested 12 people - mainly for breaching the liquor ban and disorderly behaviour.
"It was a bit of a drunken night on the town."
Snr Sgt Windle encouraged Southlanders to enjoy the festive season, but asked them to be safe, and remember there would be a higher police presence in the region during the holiday period.
Dunedin police will also begin breath-testing at checkpoints around the city today, looking to stop people from drinking and driving before Christmas.
