North Canterbury Police are "beyond alarmed" after what they saw at last night's alcohol checkpoints

Over the course of two-and-a-half hours, three checkpoints found 16 drivers with excess breath alcohol.

Inspector Hirone Waretini hopes it's a wake up call.

He says people need to understand drinking and driving can have devastating results, and says people need to realise that being caught is the least serious thing that can happen.

The Inspector says Police will keep on until the message gets through.