Halifax District RCMP and Halifax Regional Police – Partners in Policing – charged 97 drivers with Impaired Operation of a Motor Vehicle during the month of May. Three of these drivers were charged with operating a motor vehicle while impaired by drug.

Of these impaired drivers, 22 were issued driving suspensions for operating a motor vehicle while having consumed alcohol.

Of these 97 drivers apprehended, 82 were male, 15 were female, and the ages ranged from 19 to 67. Twelve of these drivers were identified by police at motor vehicle collisions and 49 impaired drivers at traffic stops. 911 calls received from the public concerned for road safety resulted in 36 impaired driving charges.

Officers were able to detect and charge persons at a wide range of BAC`s from 90 – 290 mg%. Twenty of the charged persons were more than two times the legal limit of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood, three drivers were more than three times the legal limit of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood. Fifteen of the charged persons refused to provide samples and were charged with the offence of Refusal.

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: Release