Throughout August, police charged 67 people - 56 men and 11 women, ranging in age from 20 to 69 - with impaired driving. Of these incidents, 32 were identified by police during their patrols, four were identified after a collision had occurred and 31 (46 per cent) were called-in by concerned citizens. Three additional incidents involved officers obtaining a blood sample and those matters are still under investigation. In the cases where a breath sample was obtained, the blood alcohol readings ranged from 90 to 370 milligrams of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood (mg%). Officers also issued an additional ten, seven-day suspensions to people having a blood alcohol level between 50-80 mg%.
Of the 67 cases where people were charged, two of the incidents involved impairment by drugs and seven resulted in people being charged with refusal. A charge of refusal, if found guilty, carries with it the same penalty as if a person has a blood alcohol concentration of more than the legal limit.
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.
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