Halifax District RCMP and Halifax Regional Police – Partners in Policing – have charged 53 drivers with Impaired Operation of a Motor Vehicle during the month of July.

In total, 53 drivers were charged with impaired driving, and two of those charges were for operating a motor vehicle while impaired by drug. In addition to these 53 impaired drivers, 15 other people were issued driving suspensions for operating a motor vehicle while having consumed alcohol.

The ages of the impaired drivers ranged from 19 to 74 years, while 32 were male and 21 were female. Ten of the 53 impaired drivers were identified by police at motor vehicle collisions, while 43 were identified at traffic stops. 911 calls from the general public resulted in 23 of the impaired driving charges.

Officers detected and charged persons at Blood Alcohol Concentrations (BAC`s) ranging from 90 to 270 mg% per 100 millilitres of blood. Thirteen of the charged persons were more than two times the legal limit, while three drivers were more than three times the legal limit. Eleven of the charged persons refused to provide samples and were charged with refusal.

Partners in Policing remind motorists that 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. If you have information on a drunk driver, please call 911.

Source: Release