BEAVER BANK/FALL RIVER: Thirty-seven drivers were picked up for impaired driving in a pair of local communities during 2020.
According to N.S. RCMP spokeswoman Cpl. Lisa Croteau, the drivers were nabbed by Halifax District RCMP in Beaver Bank and Fall River, respectively.
She said 30 drivers were charged with impaired by alcohol; one driver was charged with impaired by drug; and six had a licence suspension issued to them. The 37 offences equate out to 2.29 per cent of the number of calls overall.
Those totals were among the 1,625 drivers who were charged with impaired-related offences across the province as relayed in stats provided on Feb. 1.
The impaired-related offences break down as follows:
· 821 charged with Impaired Operation of a Conveyance by Alcohol
· 72 charged with Impaired Operation of a Conveyance by Drug
· 142 charged with Refusal of a Demand Made by a Peace Officer
· 590 issued driving suspensions for Operating a Conveyance While Having Consumed Alcohol
Impaired driving investigations can be complex, especially when they involve both alcohol and drugs. This is why Nova Scotia RCMP officers receive a variety of training and have several tools at their disposal.
Cpl. Croteau said each day, RCMP members are working throughout the province to help keep the roads safer for everyone.
Recently, a member in the Halifax area was recognized by their supervisors for going above and beyond. Cst. Scott Aldridge from Halifax District RCMP Traffic Unit charged 139 drivers in 2020 for impaired driving related offences. His contribution to road safety does not go unnoticed.
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. Here are some signs of an impaired driver to watch for:
· Driving unreasonably fast, slow or at an inconsistent speed
· Drifting in and out of lanes
· Tailgating and changing lanes frequently
· Making exceptionally wide turns
· Changing lanes or passing without sufficient clearance
· Overshooting or stopping well before stop signs or stop lights
· Disregarding signals and lights
· Approaching signals or leaving intersections too quickly or slowly
· Driving without headlights, failing to lower high beams, or leaving turn signals on
· Driving with windows open in cold or inclement weather
Once you call 911, you will be asked to provide the following:
· Your location
· A description of the vehicle, including the license plate number, colour, make and model
· The direction of travel for the vehicle
· A description of the driver if visible.
