Throughout the month of March, RCMP in Nova Scotia will be focusing their enforcement efforts speeding and impaired driving.
 
“Excessive speed is one of the leading causes of serious injury and fatal collisions on Nova Scotia roadways,” says Cst. Mark Skinner of the Nova Scotia RCMP Traffic Services Unit.  “When combined with a longer stopping distance, speeding ultimately increases the likelihood of a collision, as well as the severity of the collision if it occurs.”
 
Drivers who exceed the speed limit not only put their own lives in danger, they put the lives of everyone else on the road in danger as well. Motorists can reduce the chances of unnecessary motor vehicle collisions by simply obeying the posted speed limits and maintaining a safe following distance behind other drivers. 
 
 In Nova Scotia, drivers can face fines ranging from $237.50 to $2,422.50 for speeding related offences along with license suspensions. Similarly, individuals who operate a motor vehicle after consuming alcohol or drugs can expect fines ranging from $1,200 to time in jail.
 
Motorists who have consumed alcohol, drugs or a combination of the two, may be required to submit to a Standard Field Sobriety Test (SFST) by police officers. A SFST test consists of a police officer administrating a series of standardized sobriety tests to a suspected impaired driver. Failure or refusal to comply with the SFST demand can result in criminal charges that have the same penalties as impaired driving.
 
“Speeding and impaired driving, whether by drugs or alcohol, are two dangerous behaviors that can be prevented,” says Cst. Skinner. “Speeding or getting behind the wheel after you’ve been drinking are risks that simply aren’t worth taking.”
 
The RCMP encourages motorists to be attentive and to call 9-1-1 in the event that they witnesses dangerous driving behaviours or suspected impaired driving on Nova Scotia roadways. 

Source: Media Release