This weekend marks one year since the RCMP launched the National Impaired Driving Enforcement Strategy. In addition to the checkpoints that are held year round, the RCMP designated four days for coordinated checkpoints in Nova Scotia.
In just 96 hours of checkpoints throughout the province the RCMP have checked over 35,000 vehicles, charged 53 people with impaired driving and issued 39 road side suspensions.
Tomorrow, Friday December 5th, the RCMP are holding their fifth coordinated checkpoint in support of the strategy and they hope Nova Scotians are getting the message – Driving while impaired by drugs or alcohol is illegal and you can kill yourself, your passengers and other innocent people who are on the road.
As the Provincial Police, the RCMP are on the roads all year long ensuring motorists are driving sober. ‘We are not going away’ said Officer in Charge of Traffic Services, Inspector Chapman. ‘On average the Nova Scotia RCMP are apprehending 30 impaired drivers per week and as long as we continue to have people who choose to drive impaired we will be actively looking for them.’
With holiday festivities in full swing the RCMP ask you to stop and think about how you are getting home. ‘There is never a reason for driving impaired and Nova Scotians are tired of reading the headlines that another person has been killed by a drunk driver,’ adds Insp. Chapman.
‘We want everyone to enjoy their holiday parties and celebrations, but are asking people to plan for a safe ride home first’ says Susan MacAskill, the Atlantic Region coordinator for Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD). ‘It is a driver’s responsibility to drive sober. If you choose to drink – please make the right choice and use public transportation, take a taxi, or stay the night.
She further adds, ‘We also encourage the public to continue to call 911 when they see anyone operating a vehicle that may be driven by someone who is impaired.’
The RCMP continues to have a strong presence on Nova Scotia’s roadways to stop alcohol and drug impaired drivers. Road Safety is a priority for the RCMP this holiday season and all year long.
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Media Opportunity
*The media are invited to attend the checkpoint in Pictou County. Insp. Bernadine Chapman and Susan MacAskill will be participating in the checkpoints and available for interviews.
When: December 5, 2014
Who: RCMP Officer in Charge of Traffic Services, Inspector Bernadine Chapman
Susan MacAskill, the Atlantic Region coordinator for Mothers Against Drunk Driving
What: RCMP checkpoints in support of National Impaired Driving Enforcement Day
Where: 2:00 p.m., Pictou County, Nova Scotia
*Please contact Sgt. Al LeBlanc to confirm attendance at the checkpoints.
Source: Release
