In September and October, citizens and Halifax Regional Police joined forces to continue the fight against drinking and driving.

Throughout September, police charged 34 people – 24 men and 10 women ranging in age from 19 to 64 – with impaired driving.

Of these incidents, 11 were initiated by police during traffic stops and check points, four were identified after a collision had occurred and 19 were called-in by concerned citizens. Officers issued an additional eight 24-hour suspensions.

In October, 40 people, 33 men and 7 women ranging in age from 19 to 77, were charged with impaired driving.

Nineteen of these cases were detected by police, four were identified after a collision had occurred and 17 were called-in by the public. Of the 40 cases, five of the people were charged with being impaired by drugs; and the highest blood alcohol concentration (BAC) was in excess of three times the legal limit of 80 mg%. Police also issued an additional seven suspensions for having a BAC between 50 and 80 mg%.

Over the last two months, there has been an increase in the percentage of cases called in by concerned citizens. Halifax Regional Police thanks those people who called 911 with information that helped get dangerous drivers off our roads.

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.

Halifax Regional Police continues 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.