Sergeant Geoff Sutherland of Invercargill Police was disappointed people were getting behind the wheel after drinking because they thought they were "ok".

A road safety operation carried out by police in Southland has led to 20 per cent of drivers stopped being issued with an infringement notice.

Police stopped more than 1000 vehicles between Thursday and Sunday, with a focus on reducing drink-driving, patrolling both rural and urban areas of Invercargill, and eastern and western Southland.

As a result of the operation, eight people were processed for drink-driving, six were found to have been disqualified from driving or their licence had been suspended, three were found to be forbidden drivers and one person had a warrant to arrest.

A total 210 infringement notices were issued.

Acting Southland area road policing manager, acting Senior Sergeant Deon McNaught said the infringements were issued for a wide range of offences, ranging from restraints, speeding, licence breaches, through to minor vehicle defects.

Four roadside infringements were issued for drink-driving matters where the result was below 400mcg.

While ideally police would like the number of infringements to be zero, 20 per cent of vehicles from over 1000 stopped is not considered a high amount, McNaught said.

The two most common issues that police observed were people driving on learner or restricted licences and common vehicle faults or defects.

"Where possible we offered 14 day compliance for minor faults and defects detected which gives motorists the chance to take action to fix the fault, rather than incur a fine," McNaught said.

Figures were not available for the total cost of the fines the 210 infringements amounted to.

While police were happy with the overall result, it was disappointing there were still people willingly getting behind the wheel after drinking.

"It's just not worth the risk," McNaught said.

"Get a taxi home, designate a sober driver or make arrangements before you have a few drinks.

"Make safe travel plans before you start drinking and stick to them."

Sergeant Geoff Sutherland, of Invercargill, said the most common excuse he heard from drivers who were over the drink-driving limit was because they thought they were OK to drive.

"Usually when someone has recorded a level of over 400 micrograms there are signs of intoxication and people have had quite a bit to drink," he said.

He was disappointed anyone would drink-drive but said it was satisfying to know those caught were removed from the road before they caused any harm.