A woman allegedly recorded a breath alcohol level of 2178 micrograms in Northland last month - nearly nine times the limit for an infringement notice and more than five times the limit for prosecution at court.
The 36-year-old Auckland woman had been staying in Whangārei Heads but left following an argument.
She was later found behind the wheel by a member of the public in Tikipunga, Whangārei - around 34km away.
She allegedly recorded 2178 micrograms of alcohol per litre of breath.
She was taken to Whangārei Police Station where her license was suspended for 28 days and was also summonsed to appear in court next month charged with driving with excess breath alcohol.
"No Northlander wants to be sharing the road with impaired drivers - and this amount of alcohol is staggering," said Northland road policing manager Anne-Marie Fitchett.
The alcohol limit for drivers aged 20 years and over is 250 micrograms of alcohol per litre of breath and the blood alcohol limit is 50 milligrams per 100 millitres of blood.
Those with an alcohol level between 251 and 400 micrograms per litre of breath, or between 51 and 80 milligrams per 100 millilitres of blood, could be fined and given 50 demerit points.
If the alcohol level is higher, disqualification and a fine or imprisonment is possible.
For under 20s, the alcohol limit for drivers is zero.
Fitchett said staff have been committed to carrying out a large number of checkpoints across Northland.
"Our EBA and drugged driver apprehensions are high as a result.
"Good police work, combined with public support will make a difference over time. This is a long game where we are trying to change intergenerational behaviours."
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