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

Throughout the month, police charged 68 people – 53 men and 15 women, ranging in age from 18 to 59 – with impaired driving.

Of these incidents, 28 were identified by police during their patrols, 14 were identified after a collision had occurred and 26, or 38%, were called-in by concerned citizens.

Officers issued an additional 16 seven-day suspensions and one 15-day suspension to people having a blood alcohol level between 50-80 milligrams of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood (mg%).

Of the 68 cases, 64 involved drivers impaired by alcohol while four involved impairment by drugs. Two of the incidents involving drug impairment involved the same person.

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.