‘Soberest'... What does it mean? Is it even a real word?

"I'm the soberest so I drove" is an example of a phrase commonly heard in police's line of work and frequently used by the under 20 age group in attempt to excuse/justify their decision to drink drive.

This was the case last Saturday night with a 19-year-old driver stopped in the Hamilton CBD at a routine check point with a car load of intoxicated mates.

'The driver admitted to drinking with his mates earlier and between the group they decided he was the "soberest" of them all to drive them into town,” says a post on the Waikato Police Facebook page.

'One of the driver's mates handed over the keys to his car, he then drove the group into town.”

Once stopped by police the driver was processed for drink driving and further enquiries revealed he was a forbidden driver.

'Making things worse for the driver, his intoxicated mates left the car immediately walking into town to enjoy the rest of their night, leaving the driver with us.

'As a result, the driver's mate's vehicle was impounded for 28 days due to driving while forbidden, so it's safe to say the night didn't end very well for the driver or his mate who owned the vehicle.

'Under 20 years of age is a zero alcohol tolerance so it's important to remember "soberest" is not acceptable.

'You are either sober or not and if you're not then don't drive.

'On another note if you are handing your car keys to a mate it's your responsibility to check they have an appropriate driver's licence before allowing anyone to drive your vehicle.

'This owner didn't and his vehicle is now sitting in the impound yard.”