In March and April of 2011, citizens and HRM Partners in Policing joined forces to continue the fight against drinking and driving.

Throughout March, police charged 57 people - 44 men and 13 women, ranging in age from 19 to 66 - with impaired driving.  Of these incidents, 26 were identified by police during their patrols, seven were identified after a collision had occurred and 24, or 42 per cent, were called-in by concerned citizens.  Officers issued an additional 12 seven-day suspensions, two 15-day suspensions and two 90-day suspensions to people having a blood alcohol level between 50-80 milligrams of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood (mg%).

Of the 57 cases in March, 55 involved drivers impaired by alcohol while two involved drug impairment.  Thirty-five percent of the people charged had a blood alcohol level of at least twice the legal limit.  Two of the people charged were discovered passed out in their vehicles and another driver was unlicensed and on probation for a previous impaired driving conviction. 

Throughout April, police charged 62 people - 52 men and 10 women, ranging in age from 19 to 64 - with impaired driving.  Of these incidents, 33 were identified by police during their patrols, 13 were identified after a collision had occurred and 16 were called-in by concerned citizens.  Officers issued an additional 14 seven-day suspensions, one 15-day suspension and one 90-day suspension to people having a blood alcohol level between 50-80 milligrams of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood (mg%).

Of the 62 cases in April, 58 involved drivers impaired by alcohol, three involved drug impairment and one involved a refusal to conduct the test for suspected drug impairment.  At least six of the blood alcohol readings exceeded 200 mg% which is more then twice the legal limit.  Two people were charged after being found asleep behind the wheel of their vehicles and one other person who was charged was prohibited from driving for a 2010 impaired driving conviction.

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.

Halifax Regional Police / RCMP - Media Release - May 17, 2011 (11 a.m.)

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