IMPAIRED DRIVING

In an effort to keep citizens informed about enforcement on roadways, the Nova Scotia RCMP has released February statistics for all RCMP detachments in regards to drivers charged for driving impaired by drugs or alcohol.

During February, 86 drivers with charged impairedrelated offences:

49 charged with impaired operation of a motor vehicle by alcohol

Nine charged with impaired operation of a motor vehicle by drug

Four charged with refusal of a demand made by a peace officer

Two drivers complied with a demand for a blood sample due to suspected drugimpaired driving

22 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. 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. If you call 911, you will be asked to provide the following: your location, a description of the vehicle, including the licence plate number, colour, make and model, the direction of travel for the vehicle and description of the driver if visible.