In February, citizens and HRM Partners in Policing joined forces to continue the fight against drinking and driving.

Throughout the month, police charged 49 people – 43 men and 6 women, ranging in age from 20 to 55 – with impaired driving.

Of these incidents, 22 were identified by police during their patrols, 9 were identified after a collision had occurred and 18, or 36%, were called-in by concerned citizens.

Officers issued an additional 15 seven-day suspensions to people having a blood alcohol level between 50-80 milligrams of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood (mg%).

Of the 49 cases, 47 involved drivers impaired by alcohol and two involved drug impairment. The blood alcohol readings for the month ranged from 110 to 270mg%, the latter of which is more than three times the legal limit.

One of the people charged was operating a snowmobile at the time, and another person was charged only one month after their license suspension from a previous impaired driving conviction was lifted.

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.

Source: http://www.bedfordbeacon.com/hrm-impaired-driving-statistics-for-february