As Nova Scotia’s Provincial Police, road safety is a top priority. In an effort to keep citizens informed about enforcement on our roadways, the Nova Scotia RCMP will release monthly provincial statistics on drivers charged for driving impaired by drugs or alcohol.
“Impaired driving continues to be the leading cause of death and serious injury on Nova Scotia highways,” says S/Sgt. Jeff West, acting Officer in Charge of Nova Scotia RCMP Traffic Services. “We’re sharing this information hoping that Nova Scotians will think twice before getting behind the wheel after using drugs or alcohol.”
For the month of January 2019, Nova Scotia RCMP charged 78 drivers with impaired related offences.
- 62 charged with Impaired Operation of a Motor Vehicle by Alcohol
- 11 charged with Impaired Operation of a Motor Vehicle by Drug
- 5 Charged with Refusal of a Demand Made by a Peace Officer
- 10 drivers complied with a demand for a blood sample due to suspected drug-impaired driving
- 38 issued driving suspensions for Operating a Motor Vehicle While Having Consumed Alcohol.
Impaired driving investigations can be complex, especially when they involve both alcohol and drugs. This is why Nova Scotia RCMP officers receive a variety of training, and have several tools at their disposal.
In Nova Scotia, there are approximately 250 RCMP members with training related to drug-impaired driving, 33 of whom are Drug Recognition Experts (DREs). Nova Scotia RCMP also has 427 trained breath technicians who are qualified to operate instruments that determine a driver’s blood alcohol concentration.
Failure or refusal to comply with a demand made by a peace officer for a sample for testing sobriety can result in criminal charges that have the same penalties as impaired driving. There are range of fines and periods of driving prohibition for those convicted of driving while impaired by alcohol or drugs.
Citizens are asked to call 911 immediately if you see a driver who is driving erratically or unsafely. Here are some signs of an impaired driver to watch for:
- Driving unreasonably fast, slow or at an inconsistent speed
- Drifting in and out of lanes
- Tailgating and changing lanes frequently
- Making exceptionally wide turns
- Changing lanes or passing without sufficient clearance
- Overshooting or stopping well before stop signs or stop lights
- Disregarding signals and lights
- Approaching signals or leaving intersections too quickly or slowly
- Driving without headlights, failing to lower high beams or leaving turn signals on
- Driving with windows open in cold or inclement weather
Once you call 911, you will be asked to provide the following:
- Your location
- A description of the vehicle, including the license plate number, colour, make and model
- The direction of travel for the vehicle
- A description of the driver if visible.
S/Sgt. West adds, “To those who have taken the time to report suspected impaired drivers, the RCMP thanks you. Each call has the potential to save lives.”
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Source : Media Release