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

Throughout January, police charged 57 people – 48 men and 9 women, ranging in age from 19 to 73 – with impaired driving. Of these incidents, 31 were identified by police during their patrols, 14 were identified after a collision had occurred and 12 were called-in by concerned citizens.

Two cases involved impairment by drugs and 50% of the people charged with impairment by alcohol had a blood alcohol reading of more then twice the legal limit which is 80 milligrams of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood (mg%). Officers also issued an additional 16 suspensions to people having a blood alcohol level between 50-80 mg%.

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-january