Posted:
(9:05 a.m.)
In August, citizens and HRM Partners in Policing joined forces to continue the fight against drinking and driving.
Throughout August, police criminally charged 64 drivers with impaired driving by alcohol and suspended the driving privileges of another 27 drivers. Of these 91 drivers, 72 were men and 19 women, ranging in age from 17 to 79. Of these incidents, 58 were identified by police during their patrols, 13 were identified after a collision had occurred and 20, or 22%, were called-in by concerned citizens. Of the 27 suspensions, two were 24 hours suspensions, 23 were 7 days suspensions and one was a 15 days suspension, for having a blood alcohol level between 50-80 milligrams of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood (mg%).
The breath samples obtained from the drivers ranged from 90-310 mg%. Of the 64 criminal cases, 17 involved drivers impaired by alcohol with readings that were more than twice the legal limit of 80 mg% and five had readings that were more than three times the legal limit. Twelve drivers refused to provide samples of their breath and were also charged with refusal. One case involved drug impairment.
Driving while under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs puts everyone in danger. In December 2009, MADD Canada and the Province of Nova Scotia launched Campaign 911 which encourages people to call police with information on suspected impaired drivers. HRM Partners in Policing continue to be encouraged by the number of citizens helping to play a role in community safety. If you have information on a drunk driver, please call 911.