With the first holiday weekend of the summer coinciding with the final of the Rugby World Cup, Waikato Police are preparing for a test of their own facing greater than usual traffic flows.
With the Waikato road toll of 42 greater than any other part of the country, District Road Policing Manager, Inspector Leo Tooman, said there was a clear expectation for the motoring public to bring their 'A' game.
"Traditionally Labour Weekend sees large numbers of vehicles heading out of Hamilton and coming down from Auckland on the Friday to the Waikato's holiday spots of Raglan, Waihi and the Coromandel.
"Add to that we have heavy traffic flows expected as fans head up to the World Cup final on Sunday night we can expect a number of delays."
Mr Tooman said while locally everyone is hoping for an All Black victory it does potentially raise an issue for those tasked with keeping our roads safe.
"Potentially, given all goes well thousands of fans will be out celebrating well into the night and into the following morning creating an issue in terms of intoxicated and fatigued drivers needing to get back to and through the Waikato.
"Remembering alcohol can remain in your system for 12 hours after your last drink so we face the prospect of tired and possibly still drunk drivers sharing the roads with returning holidaymakers."
While asking motorists to plan how they will get to and from their venues this holiday weekend Police will be doing their part, ensuring a heightened policing presence on major routes.
"We have additional staff who'll be patrolling across our State Highway network and people should expect to encounter our staff, equipped with breathalyzer equipment anywhere at anytime."
Excess Breath Alcohol results over weekend
Between Friday evening and Sunday morning there were 18 drivers processed for excess breath alcohol on Waikato roads, 11 of these drivers were male, seven female.
Three of the drivers were charged with third or subsequent EBA while one was on his fourth charge.
The highest reading was a 45-year-old man at Thames who blew 891mgms
Two drivers aged under 20 were also processed for EBA with a 19-year-old male at Morrinsville who blew 315mgms and a 19-year-old female who blew 252mgms in Hamilton.
There is a zero alcohol limit for drivers aged under 20 .
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