One in every 80 drivers stopped at a checkpoint in Hastings on Friday were too drunk to drive.
Police say they're disappointed in the results, with 12 receiving an infringement notice and six facing a court date.
"Unfortunately, there are still a lot of drivers who don't think it's a problem to drive after drinking,' said Insp Matt Broderick.
"They know drinking increases their chances of crashing, and they know the consequences of being stopped by police, but they are still willing to take the chance."
All up 1461 cars were stopped at the roundabout of Pakowhai Rd and Te Ara Kahikatea and the drivers breath-tested.
"For the remainder of December, we'll be particularly focused on targeting drink-driving, with checkpoints and random roadside testing to increase the odds of drivers who 'chance it' being caught.
"We don't want anyone's holiday to be ruined by the death of a loved one on the roads and we want everyone to get where they're going safely."
Police say there are about 400 deaths and serious injuries each year caused by drunk drivers.
So far this year 309 have died on the roads. We're on track to have the lowest toll since 2016, thanks to the reduced number of deaths during the lockdown earlier this year.
Over the past five years, an average 11 people have died in the official holiday road toll period.
Hawke's Bay has seen its road toll go up in recent years, even as the nationwide toll has trended downwards.
