Rural communities are being urged to heed the warnings about drinking and driving.

Police hope new roadside breath-testing devices will allow them to catch out the high number of people continuing to drink and drive on remote country roads.

Rural Women New Zealand vice president Kerry Mau believes there's just a different attitude on rural roads.

"It's really unusual. I guess there's a feeling there's fewer police in rural areas, travelling on uncommon roads. There risk takers, I think."

"And that typical 'She'll be right, I'm fine, it won't happen to me' is still there."

"The roads aren't well lit, they're travelling faster speeds, and of course a lot of them being shingle roads, they're uneven surfaces."

Mau says without buses and taxis, getting home from country taverns requires advance planning.

"They key thing is to plan ahead. Have a plan B in case you've been drinking and look our for your mates."