Posted:
(8:30 a.m.)
In September and October, citizens and HRM Partners in Policing joined forces to continue the fight against drinking and driving.
Throughout September and October, police charged 126 people – 95 men and 31 women, ranging in age from 18 to 68 – with impaired driving. Of these incidents, 70 were identified by police during their patrols, 13 were identified after a collision had occurred and 43, or 34%, were called-in by concerned citizens. Officers also issued 41 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 80-370 mg%. Of the 126 cases, 41 involved drivers impaired by alcohol with readings that were more than twice the legal limit of 80 mg%, five had readings that were three times the legal limit and two had readings that were four times the legal limit. Thirteen drivers refused to provide samples of their breath and were charged with refusal. A blood warrant was also obtained in five cases. Six cases 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.