A police operation targeting antisocial driving behaviour in Invercargill has resulted in multiple vehicles being issued infringements and ordered off the road.

Police said over Friday and Saturday nights (7-8 Jun) officers pulled over 161 vehicles in the city, 54 of which were sent for inspection.

Southland area road policing manager Senior Sergeant Scott MacKenzie said this was not good enough.

"The number of vehicles ordered off the road really surprised us; coupled with the fact that only eight of the 54 vehicles inspected were found without any faults," he said.

"In total the teams stopped 161 vehicles, of which those with numerous and or serious faults came in at 33.5 percent - one third of all cars stopped should not have been on the road.

"We've been very clear - we have no tolerance for this behaviour and the havoc it wreaks in our communities."

Officers also issued 12 green stickers and 16 pink stickers.

Senior Sergeant MacKenzie said he and his colleagues were all too familiar with the devastating impacts that could occur when driving recklessly or at speed, along with the fact many of the vehicles were unsafe to travel in.

"We're the ones having to visit families and deliver awful news about their loved ones being involved in serious incidents resulting in injury or death," he said.

"Police are sending a message to anyone participating in antisocial road user behaviour - we are ready and waiting, and you can expect us to take action.

"We continue to encourage anyone who witnesses this type of activity to report it to Police."

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