News Service from House Harris

NSW: Hundreds of drink-drivers busted in three-day blitz

SYDNEY, Nov 9 AAP - Hundreds of drink-drivers have been busted during a three-day state-wide blitz on "bloody idiots," NSW police say.

Operation Drink Drive 2, which started on Thursday and concluded last night, snared 268 drivers with blood-alcohol readings higher than the legal limit.

Police conducted 108,220 breath tests during the 72-hour clampdown, 27,729 more than last year's operation.

Despite a 25 per cent increase in the number of motorists breathalysed, there were 201 fewer people caught drunk behind the wheel.

Acting Traffic Services Commander Dave Evans said he was still extremely disappointed with the result.

"We've been saying it for years, 'If you drink and drive you're a bloody idiot' and this result proves many people are not heeding the drink-driving message and endangering themselves and others," he said.

Police also issued 2,289 speeding infringements (up 380 on 2007) and 4,505 infringements for other traffic offences (down 108 on 2007).

AAP bsbimcmn=0A