Nova Scotia RCMP checked 5252 vehicles at 88 strategically located checkpoints across the province on December 1 as part of National Impaired Driving Enforcement Day.
As a result of those checkpoints, seven people were charged with Impaired Driving by Alcohol, one faces charges for Impaired Driving by Drug and four were issued roadside suspensions for alcohol.
Members used a variety of tools to detect impairment, including:
- Approved Screening Devices (which are administered roadside to test breath samples for alcohol)
- Approved Instruments (which are usually administered at detachments to test breath samples for alcohol)
- Dräger DrugTest 5000 Approved Drug Screening Equipment (which are administered roadside to test oral fluid for THC and cocaine)
- Standardized Field Sobriety Testing (which is usually administered roadside to test for impairment by alcohol and/or drugs)
- Drug Recognition Expert Evaluations (which are usually administered at a detachment to test for impairment by drugs)
- Blood samples (which are administered by a medical professional to test for blood drug concentration).
"Impaired driving is a serious threat to road safety and Nova Scotia RCMP is committed to removing impaired drivers from roadways," says Cst. Chad Morrison of Nova Scotia RCMP Traffic Services. "Especially with the holidays upon us, be sure to plan ahead before you consume."
The RCMP wishes to remind Nova Scotians that driving impaired increases the risk of death and serious injury to yourself and others. We all have a responsibility to drive safely. Always drive sober and call 911 if you believe someone is driving impaired or is otherwise an immediate threat to public safety. Include as many details as possible, such as the location, direction of travel, vehicle description and license plate number.