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In December, citizens and HRM Partners in Policing joined forces to continue the fight against drinking and driving.
Throughout December, police charged 47 people – 37 men and 10 women, ranging in age from 19 to 67 – with impaired driving by alcohol. Of these incidents, 14 were identified by police during their patrols, 14 were identified after a collision had occurred and 19, or 40%, were called-in by concerned citizens. Officers also issued and additional 17 suspensions (7, 15 and 30 days) 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 90-300 mg%. Of the 47 cases, 11 involved drivers impaired by alcohol with readings that were more than twice the legal limit of 80 mg% and four had readings that were three times the legal limit. Eight drivers refused to provide samples of their breath and were also charged with refusal. Two cases involved drug impairment. Of note, a male driver was charged with impaired driving twice this month, once on December 7 and again on December 12.
In 2013, HRM Partners in Policing have charged 615 motorists with impaired driving, compared to 677 in 2012.
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.