A driver was caught behind the wheel while more than three times the legal alcohol limit during a targeted road safety operation in the North on Friday night.

The driver- who returned a blood alcohol reading of 0.173 – was one of four caught drink driving during the two-hour operation which targeted rural roads in the region.

Police conducted a total of 61 random breath tests, with an additional two drivers detected speeding.

Senior Sergeant Stuart Greenwood said while the majority of motorists intercepted by police had been doing the right thing, four drivers on the road while under the influence of alcohol and two drivers speeding was unacceptable.

“Driving behavior such as this places drivers, passengers and all other road users at risk of serious injury due to the increased likelihood of causing a crash,” he said.

“Tasmania Police will continue to conduct operations that target the fatal five – speeding, fatigue, distraction, seatbelts and alcohol and drugs, and remind drivers that police can be anywhere, anytime.”