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In October, citizens and HRM Partners in Policing joined forces to continue the fight against drinking and driving.
Throughout October, police criminally charged 36 drivers with impaired driving by alcohol and suspended the driving privileges of another 14 drivers. Of these 50 drivers, 39 were men and 11 women, ranging in age from 18 to 66. Of these incidents, 21 were identified by police during their patrols, 10 were identified after a collision had occurred and 19, or 38 per cent, were called-in by concerned citizens. Of the 14 suspensions, 13 were 24 hour suspensions and one was a 90 day 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 90-360 mg%. Of the 36 criminal cases, 14 involved drivers impaired by alcohol with readings that were more than twice the legal limit of 80 mg%, three had readings that were more than three times the legal limit and two had readings that were more than four times the legal limit. Three drivers refused to provide samples of their breath and were also charged with refusal. Two cases involve 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.