Bay of Plenty Police are thanking motorists in Kawerau for making the sensible decision not to drink and drive over the weekend.

Checkpoints were set up across Eastern Bay of Plenty, including Opotiki and Whakatane on Friday night, and Kawerau, Edgecumbe and Awakeri on Saturday.

Every driver through the Kawerau Road checkpoint passed the breath alcohol test, a stark contrast to the nine that failed at the Police Impairment Team's checkpoint there in May.

"This was an outstanding result, which more people could learn from," says Senior Sergeant Tristan Murray.

"Unfortunately, not everybody who was stopped at the weekend had used common sense."

Some 864 drivers were breath-tested across the region.

Eleven were charged with driving with excess breath alcohol, two with driving while disqualified, four were forbidden from driving and two cars were impounded.

There is one key message here: if you drink alcohol, don't drive.

It's that simple, says Tristan.

"People should never ever drive when impaired by alcohol, drugs, or fatigue. It's not only your life on the line, but everybody else sharing the road with you.

"All drivers should expect to be stopped by Police at any time.

"We want to see everybody taking their safety and the safety of other motorists seriously, to help ensure everyone arrives alive."