**** RCMP Media Release
Report impaired drivers to protect your community
Nova Scotia RCMP is asking residents to help protect their communities by reporting suspected impaired drivers to police.
Although driving impaired by alcohol or drugs can kill or seriously injure road users, people continue to risk it all by getting behind the wheel when they know they can’t drive safely. That’s why the RCMP needs your help to report suspected impaired drivers.
“If we hear that someone appears to be driving impaired, we can respond and take them off the road before they cause a collision,” says Cpl. Lisa Croteau of the Nova Scotia RCMP. “If you’re ever on the fence about whether you should report someone, the answer is always ‘yes’.”
Signs of impaired driving vary depending on the person but may include:
- swerving
- strange or erratic movements
- quick changes in speed
- speeding or driving very slowly
- drivers who look groggy or like they’re falling asleep
In 2018, Nova Scotia RCMP charged 830 people with driving while impaired by alcohol and 48 with driving while impaired by drug. There were also 473 people who were given roadside suspensions due to driving with a Blood Alcohol Content between 50-80 milligrams of alcohol in one hundred milliliters of blood (50mg% to 80mg%).
If you suspect someone is driving impaired and they are an immediate threat to public safety, call 911. If it’s safe to do so, make note of the following information, as it will help police respond:
- license plate number
- make and model of the vehicle
- description of the driver
- location of the vehicle and direction of travel
By reporting suspected impaired drivers, you are helping to protect your family, friends, neighbours and all Nova Scotians. Thank you for your help.